Law is a field that evolves constantly. The practice of law requires firms to continually adapt and come up with new strategies that keep them on the cutting edge of the industry. One such idea that has recently gained momentum is new law, which can be a difficult concept to pin down but it has broad implications for the legal profession as a whole. New law is about benefiting clients, using technology and offering services in ways that are not typical for the practice of traditional law.
NEW LAWS
The beginning of a new year brings about major changes to the laws of the state and county. In New York City and Westchester, for example, the minimum wage increased to $15 per hour on Jan. 1. The new laws also affect residents across the rest of the state, including Brooklyn and Long Island.
Some new laws are aimed at making it safer for New Yorkers to live in their homes. For instance, Assembly Bill A7273 will require NYCHA to provide tenants with information about whether their water is safe to drink. The new law is a response to an ongoing investigation into the drinking water quality at several public housing developments.
Another law will improve the safety of college students from bias-related crimes. The new law, called “Matthew’s Law,” is named after a student who died from an accidental fentanyl overdose in 2020. The law will make it easier for local pharmacies and health care providers to give out fentanyl and other drug adulterant testing supplies to the public.
Congress is the lawmaking branch of the federal government. Learn about how a bill becomes a law and the different processes in the House of Representatives and Senate. Then search for bills and laws by name, keywords, congressional session or type of legislation.