These New York laws take effect in 2025
NEW YORK - Several new laws in New York are taking effect in 2025, from paid prenatal leave changes to minimum wage increases across New York City, Long Island and Westchester.
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- Minimum wage increase
- Paid prenatal leave
- Paid leave for COVID-19
- Equal Rights Amendment
- Retail worker safety act
- NYC congestion pricing
Here's a look at some of them that could impact your life.
Click HERE for New Jersey.
Minimum wage increase
New York State will raise the minimum wage by $0.50 to $16.50 an hour for employees in New York City, Long Island and Westchester, according to the state's Department of Labor.
The rest of the state will also see a $0.50 increase to $15.50. The 2025 increases will be followed by another $0.50 increase in 2026.
Read more HERE.
Paid prenatal leave
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2025, pregnant New York workers will receive additional paid time off "for doctors’ appointments, procedures or other types of prenatal care."
The leave is part of the state's paid sick leave program, which is separate from New York State Paid Family Leave.
Paid leave for COVID-19
On July 31, 2025, the COVID-19 quarantine leave legislation will expire.
Equal Rights Amendment
On Election Day, New York voters passed Proposition 1, meaning an amendment designed to protect abortion rights and other civil liberties will be enshrined in the state’s constitution.
On paper, the Equal Rights Amendment is slated to expand the state constitution’s anti-discrimination protections to include a host of new terms such as ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and "sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive health care and autonomy."
In its current state, New York’s constitution only protects against discrimination based on race, creed or religion.
Retail worker safety act
Assembly Bill A8947C establishes the retail worker safety act "requiring retail worker employers to develop and implement programs to prevent workplace violence."
This will be effective on March 4, 2025.
NYC congestion pricing
Congestion pricing is scheduled to begin on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025 in New York City.
Most vehicles entering the Manhattan zone, which is local streets and avenues at or below 60th Street – near Central Park – will be charged a $9 toll.
Drivers on the FDR and West Side Highway passing through the borough will not be charged.
Read more on congestion pricing HERE.