Addabbo Reminds New Yorkers That New Laws Take Effect in 2024

Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. would like to remind constituents that significant changes have been implemented in New York for the new year. Governor Kathy Hochul has signed hundreds of bills into law and these new laws cover a wide range of issues, including worker rights, health, and school resources, and will have a broad impact on residents across the state. Senator Addabbo introduced three of these important bills. Here are a few of the new laws for 2024:

Rebate for Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge 

• Under the Queens Resident Toll Rebate Program, the MTA will reimburse all residents with vehicles registered in Queens who use E-ZPass for trips they make across the span over Jamaica Bay starting February 2024.
• Legislation that secured funding for the rebate program was introduced by Senator Addabbo and Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato

Train Tarp Coverage 

• Requires certain waste transported by rail to be covered with hard tarping.
• Requires putrescible and non-putrescible waste to be covered by a hard tarp when transported by rail. Putrescible is something that is liable to decay.
• This bill is designed to ensure that waste that is transferred by rail in New York State is properly contained in a manner consistent with Federal Railroad Administration regulations to prevent leakage and spillage along the tracks. (Introduced by Senator Addabbo and Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar).

New School Holidays

• Statewide school holiday on Lunar New Year to support the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.
• In New York City, Diwali will be designated as a school holiday, closing public schools on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Indian calendar (Introduced by Senator Addabbo and Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar).

Minimum Wage Increase

Starting Jan. 1, 2024, minimum wage in New York City, Westchester, and Long Island will be $16 per hour; $15 per hour for the rest of New York State. Workers are urged to file wage complaints if the increase isn't reflected in paychecks.

Protections for Freelance Workers

The "Freelance Isn't Free" Act provides rights and protections for freelance workers paid at least $800. It requires written contracts, timely payment, and protection from employer retaliation and discrimination.

Protections for New York Tenants Safety

• NYCHA required to notify residents within 24 hours about water safety for cooking and drinking.
• Contractors examining water quality must adhere to federal, state, and local laws.
• Prohibition on installation of keyless security devices without written consent.

Expanded Support for Victims and Survivors of Crime

• Eligibility for victim compensation funds expanded, removing the requirement to report crime to law enforcement.
• Alternative forms of evidence accepted to demonstrate occurrence of a crime.

Combating the Opioid Epidemic

• "Matthew's Law" makes drug testing resources more accessible to the public.
• Local pharmacies and healthcare providers can distribute fentanyl and drug adulterant testing supplies to reduce accidental overdoses.

Protecting College Students and Making Campus Crime Statistics Accessible

• Mandates posting campus crime statistics on college websites and creating plans to investigate, and report hate crimes.
• New students to be informed about campus crime prevention measures.

Free Menstrual Products in School

• Middle and high school students in non-public schools to have access to free menstrual products.

Lowering the Minimum Age for Lifeguards

• New law permits individuals as young as 15 to work as lifeguards at swimming pools, beaches, and children's camps under appropriate supervision.
• Lifeguards at specific camps must be supervised by the camp aquatics director.