New Laws Taking Effect in January
January 7th, 2019
- December 31 – Minimum wage increase
- The minimum wage in New York will increase for the third consecutive year as part of a phase in plan that will be fully implemented by the year 2021. This year’s increase is scheduled as follows:
- In Upstate New York, the minimum wage will increase from $10.40 per hour to $11.10 per hour;
- In Long Island and Westchester County, the minimum wage will increase from $11 to $12 per hour;
- NYC employers with less than 10 employees will be required to pay $13.50 per hour, up from $12 in 2018.
- NYC employers with 11 or more employees will hit $15 per hour, up a full two dollars per hour from the 2018 wage.
- January 1 – Diaper changing stations
- Beginning January 1, all new or renovated bathrooms open to the public will require baby changing stations. Upon passage of this legislationGovernor Cuomo stated “New York proudly leads the nation in fighting for the rights of working parents, and by ensuring access to these amenities, we will help ensure all New Yorkers can give their children the care they need at this critical stage of their lives. This legislation supports our efforts to make New York the nation’s model for working parents, and helps make it a stronger, fairer and more equal state for all.”
- January 1 – Disability benefits for volunteer firefighters diagnosed with cancer
- Due to the passage of the “The New York state Volunteer Firefighter Gap Coverage Cancer Disability Benefits Act”in 2017, volunteer firefighters diagnosed with certain types of cancer after January 1st, 2019 are eligible for enhanced cancer disability benefits, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.
- January 1 – No cost prostate screening
- A new lawtaking effect January 1st will mandate health insurers provide access to prostate screenings without co-pays or deductibles.
- January 6 – Drug take back program
- In an effort to reduce the misuse of prescription medication and to attempt to help protect the water supply from contamination the legislature passed the Drug Take Back Act. This legislation requires drug manufacturers to create a stewardship program designed to provide for a method of disposal for unused prescription medication. The new law also requires pharmacies to participate as a location where the unused drugs can be collected and returned.
- January 30 – Body scanners in prison
- A new lawset to take effect on January 30th will allow the use of body scanners by prisons to detect weapons hidden in the clothes or body of an inmate.
- January 30 – Newborn testing for those suspected of having a hearing impairmen
January 30th will also be the effective date of a new law that will require that newborns suspected of having a hearing impairment be tested for Cytomegalovirus, the leading non-genetic cause of deafness in children.