As 2024 begins, New Yorkers will see significant changes in how they operate and do business with the law. New legislation will impact residents from all across the State – from worker rights to school resources and more. Several major laws went into effect as of midnight to begin the year, including raising the minimum wage in NYC and Westchester to $16 per hour.
In addition to the higher minimum wage, one of the most significant changes is a law that allows local pharmacies and health care providers to give out fentanyl and drug adulterant testing supplies. This life-saving measure is a response to the ongoing opioid and overdose crisis in our country. Known as Matthew’s Law, it was named in honor of Matthew Horan, who died of an accidental fentanyl overdose in 2020.
Other new laws include allowing more victims and survivors to qualify for crime victim compensation funds by eliminating the requirement that they report the crime and provide proof to law enforcement. This is a great move that will help victims and survivors of crimes. Another new law will allow police officers to use social media accounts to communicate with the public, a way that has been long requested by the police community.
Locally, New York City residents will have a more secure online environment with the passing of a bill that requires businesses to provide notice when their customer data is compromised by unauthorized parties. The bill will also require police to disclose any data breaches they experience involving personal information of affected residents.
For those interested in learning more about the various new laws that are currently in effect, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) has compiled a list of new laws and rules. The list is available on the DCWP’s website.
In the legal profession, law new has become a term that refers to the idea of using innovative strategies to benefit clients. This can be anything from working with underserved communities to embracing technology and offering more creative pricing models. By using these strategies, firms can offer the help that their clients need without affecting the primary focus of their law practice.