ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)- A brand new 12 months means new legal guidelines. In New York, native governments had till the tip of the 12 months to resolve in the event that they needed to opt-out of getting marijuana dispensaries, minimal wage will increase go into impact in addition to stricter guidelines on solitary confinement.
Discover out what new legal guidelines can be going into impact under:
Minimal wage enhance
The minimal wage in New York has been rising to $15 since 2016. New York Metropolis, Lengthy Island, and Westchester have already got a $15 minimal wage. On Dec. 31 minimal wage in the remainder of the state will transfer to $13.20 an hour. When will that be elevated to $15?
The state mentioned the Division of the Price range Director and the Division of Labor will meet to determine future increases. Future will increase can be set based mostly on an annual overview of how the will increase have made an influence.
Marijuana gross sales opt-out
By the tip of the 12 months, municipalities needed to resolve whether or not they have been going to permit leisure marijuana to be bought. Opting out of permitting marijuana to be bought additionally means these municipalities are additionally opting out of tax income.
The Rockefeller Institute of Authorities created the Marijuana Opt-Out Tracker to watch municipalities’ choices. NEWS10 has put collectively a list of municipalities’ decisions by county.
Polystyrene ban
Starting Jan. 1 eating places will now not be capable of use polystyrene containers for take-out or give them to clients to allow them to take house their leftovers. The legislation was adopted in 2020 and regardless of provide shortages, the Division of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has arrange a system the place folks could make complaints about businesses not complying with the law.
The primary violation will price companies as much as $250. A second will price companies as much as $500 and/or a 3rd violation as much as $1,000. In accordance with the DEC, fines collected can be put into the Environmental Safety Fund.
Whistleblower safety
To additional defend whistleblowers the definition of worker now includes former employees. Retaliation was additionally expanded to incorporate actions or threats that will influence a former worker’s employment, present or future. It additionally contains threats to or contacting immigration. The statute of limitations was additionally prolonged to 2 years. This can take impact on Jan. 26, 2022.
NYS Paid Household Depart
New Yorkers who’ve met the time-worked necessities for the state’s paid household depart can take as much as 12 weeks off to take care of a brand new baby or sick member of the family. In 2022, New Yorkers utilizing paid household depart will get 67% of their average weekly wage or as much as $1,068.36 per week.
New laws, signed by Governor Kathy Hochul in November, provides caring for a sick sibling to be acknowledged beneath the household depart act. “That is private,” she mentioned. “Taking good care of your loved ones is a human proper.” The extension applies to organic, adopted, half-siblings, or step-siblings however received’t take impact till 2023.
Solitary confinement
Solitary confinement is proscribed to not more than 15 days beneath the HALT Solitary Confinement Act. It’s banned completely for minors, folks over the age of 55, pregnant inmates, and people with disabilities. The legislation turns into efficient Apr. 1, 2022.
Digital monitoring of workers
Workers should be notified earlier than they’re employed if an employer can be electronically monitoring them in any manner. Employers will even need to put up the discover and provides workers an annual discover. The legislation will take impact at the start of Might.
