As with any profession, the legal world is constantly changing. Law firms need to be able to adapt and evolve in order to remain competitive. One way they can do this is by embracing what is known as “new law.” This concept is not always easy to define but it involves providing legal services in different ways. It may include working with underserved communities, utilizing alternative fee structures or creating strategies that have not been traditionally used in the law industry.
New laws are going into effect as the year begins in several states around the country. These laws address a variety of issues that range from the mundane to the controversial. Several of these bills are focused on improving the safety of college students and helping victims of bias-related crimes. Others are addressing the current opioid and overdose epidemic and aiming to decrease the amount of time it takes for families to receive victim compensation. Still others are trying to increase the availability of drug adulterant testing resources in the community in order to help prevent accidental overdoses. This bill is being called “Matthew’s Law,” in honor of a young man who died from an accidental fentanyl overdose in 2020.
Local Laws
In the city of New York, a number of local laws have been passed that are now in effect. These laws address issues ranging from a mandatory license for third-party food delivery services to a new law that requires all construction labor providers to provide workers with a copy of the labor code. A new law is also in effect that reduces penalties and allows for opportunities to cure certain violations of the City’s wage and hour rules.
The New York state legislature is also in the process of passing new laws. One of these is a new law that will require third-party delivery services to register with the City and pay a $100 registration fee. The law also establishes minimum wages for food delivery drivers and includes provisions to protect against retaliation by employers. The state legislature is also enacting several new abortion restrictions.
A new law is an official rule or regulation created by a legislative body such as Congress. A proposal for a law is formally introduced by the sponsor and given an identification number. These proposals are then debated, changed, and voted on by the House and Senate. If approved, a public law is then signed by the President and becomes a statute.