Law is a constantly changing field, and lawyers must be ready for new trends at every turn. One such trend is “new law,” a term used to describe innovative approaches to the practice of legal services. New law practices can range from partnering with underserved communities to creating strategies that have never been part of the legal landscape before. These practices are designed to help clients in a different way, and they can be an excellent source of new business for firms that are open to the idea.
New York City Laws and Rules
A new year brings new laws into effect in the State of New York, with a number of changes for both local governments and businesses in the state. Some of the most notable changes include new ways to file for a protective order, a ban on the sale of certain types of guns and a requirement for employers to provide their employees with the option to take a sexual harassment training course.
The new year also brought several other changes to New York’s existing laws. A new bill will prohibit the use of public funds to fund private schools, and a new law makes it easier for people who have experienced domestic violence to obtain a protective order by filing paperwork online or over the phone instead of visiting a courthouse in person. The same law will allow courts in counties with a population over 250,000 to offer remote hearings for those seeking protection orders.
In addition, this month saw the implementation of a few new laws that have been long in the making. One such law prevents businesses from charging a higher price for feminine products like shampoos and other personal care items, which is referred to as the “pink tax.” Another new law makes it illegal to discriminate against employees who wear braids, twists or locks as a part of their cultural identity in the workplace.
How a Law Becomes a Law
The legislative branch of the federal government is the source of most new laws, and this article explains how a bill becomes a law. Most legislative proposals, or bills, are introduced in Congress, where they are researched, discussed, changed and voted on by members of both the House of Representatives and Senate. If a bill is passed in both bodies, it becomes a public law, or act, and is published in the Statutes at Large, along with all other laws enacted during that Congress.
To learn more about the new laws in effect in New York, visit the Laws of the City (Public Access Portal), the New York City Council Legislation website or NYC Rules. The Laws of the City site includes information on city agency and department laws, as well as links to other relevant legislation. The State of New York also has its own laws, which can be found at the NY State Legislature site. New York State laws include the Code of the City of New York, which provides details on city statutes and regulations, as well as the Constitution of New York, which sets the framework for state law.