New law is a field of practice that has become increasingly important to many legal firms. This type of work can help them to provide services in ways that are unique and helpful for clients, without affecting the main focus of their law firm. Developing strategies that use this approach can make a law firm more profitable and allow it to serve more clients.
This month, we look at a few new laws that were passed by state and local governments across the country and that went into effect on Jan. 1.
In California, a law will ban gender bias in product pricing. It’s one of a group of new laws that are expected to affect Californians in noticeable ways, and could potentially set a national precedent.
A new law will help to prevent data breaches. It requires businesses to disclose the loss of personal identifying information to affected persons and law enforcement agencies. In addition, this bill adds penalties to the existing list of violations that require the disclosure of private identifying information.
Efforts to increase transparency in job postings will take a step forward under this new law. Companies with 15 or more employees must now include salary ranges in job postings. The new law also prohibits discrimination based on race, gender or disability in hiring practices and salary decisions.
The new law will require the Department of Citywide Administrative Services to prepare a notice for agency employees and job applicants regarding the availability of federal student loan forgiveness programs. DCWP would then make the notice available to employers in New York City to provide to their employees and job applicants.
New attorneys in the Legal Counsel Division join with senior attorneys and staff in advising City agencies, the Mayor and other elected officials with respect to policy initiatives and pending federal, state and local legislation and rules. These individuals research, analyze and advise on a broad range of municipal law issues including education, health, civil rights, the environment, transportation, privacy, land use and housing.