New York State Government Implements New Laws in 2025
As of January 1, the New York state government has implemented several new laws, covering a range of topics from discrimination and minimum wage to healthcare and more. Here are some of the key changes taking effect in 2025.
As of January 1, the New York State Constitution now includes the Equal Rights Amendment, which adds to the list of classes protected from discrimination. Additionally, minimum wage increases by $0.50 to $16.50 per hour on Long Island and in New York City and Westchester County, and $15.50 in the rest of the state.
New York will now require 20 hours of paid sick leave specifically for prenatal care, separate from existing paid sick leave. Employers cannot ask for private health information as a condition, and workers are protected from retaliation for using the sick leave. Paid Family Leave benefits also increase, with eligible employees receiving up to $14,127.84 annually or $1,177.32 per week, covering 67% of wages.
S5481A/A2898A requires health insurance to cover neuropsychological tests that diagnose dyslexia. S7114A/A6425 requires health insurance plans to cover the cost of at least two epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens) per year and caps the out-of-pocket cost at $100. S6674A/A7790A requires insurance policies to cover pasteurized donor human milk for at-risk babies who have specific medical conditions, expanding eligibility beyond inpatient use.
S6635/A5745 lets all workers—not just police, firefighters, and other emergency responders—apply for state Workers’ Compensation coverage for post-traumatic stress or other “mental injury” incurred on the job. S8948/A9935 requires employers to share all records and communications with employees before medical exams and provide full documentation when claiming an employee cannot do their job.
S543/A5082 bans hotels with under 50 rooms from using small plastic containers for personal care products like shampoo. S201/A2656 requires health insurers to let pregnant people enroll, penalty-free, during a special enrollment period, with coverage dating back to the pregnancy certification month. S6146A/A5729A requires insurance to cover nipple-area tattoos done by licensed medical professionals as part of breast reconstruction surgery.
S4778/A7167 prevents predatory charging of administrative, handling, or clerical turn-in fees when a lease expires for a motor vehicle that’s not damaged or over the mileage limit. S5943/A725 requires ballots to list candidates in a certain order, starting with federal and statewide offices and followed by other partisan and judicial offices.
Starting on January 1, New York requires that insurance policies cover prescription insulin, eliminating all out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, copays, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing. S264A/A6291A requires high-rise buildings to have an emergency evacuation plan in place for people with disabilities, with $500 penalties for non-compliance. S7676B/A8138B voids contracts that include digital replicas—like a hologram, deepfake, computer-generated image, or AI rendering—of someone’s voice or likeness.
Conclusion
The new laws in New York state aim to protect workers, families, and individuals, as well as promote a healthier and more equitable society. These changes take effect immediately and will have a significant impact on various aspects of life in New York state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Equal Rights Amendment?
A: The Equal Rights Amendment is a new addition to the New York State Constitution, which adds to the list of classes protected from discrimination.
Q: How does the minimum wage increase affect different parts of the state?
A: Minimum wage increases by $0.50 to $16.50 per hour on Long Island and in New York City and Westchester County, and $15.50 in the rest of the state.
Q: What is the new paid sick leave policy?
A: New York now requires 20 hours of paid sick leave specifically for prenatal care, separate from existing paid sick leave. Employers cannot ask for private health information as a condition, and workers are protected from retaliation for using the sick leave.
Q: How do the health insurance reforms affect individuals with dyslexia or allergies?
A: S5481A/A2898A requires health insurance to cover neuropsychological tests that diagnose dyslexia, and S7114A/A6425 requires health insurance plans to cover the cost of at least two epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens) per year and caps the out-of-pocket cost at $100.
Q: Can any worker apply for state Workers’ Compensation coverage for mental injuries?
A: Yes, S6635/A5745 lets all workers—not just police, firefighters, and other emergency responders—apply for state Workers’ Compensation coverage for post-traumatic stress or other “mental injury” incurred on the job.
Q: How does the new family and consumer protection law affect hotel practices?
A: S543/A5082 bans hotels with under 50 rooms from using small plastic containers for personal care products like shampoo, and S6146A/A5729A requires insurance to cover nipple-area tattoos done by licensed medical professionals as part of breast reconstruction surgery.
Q: What is the new election law?
A: S5943/A725 requires ballots to list candidates in a certain order, starting with federal and statewide offices and followed by other partisan and judicial offices.
Q: How does the new insurance policy cover prescription insulin?
A: Starting on January 1, New York requires that insurance policies cover prescription insulin, eliminating all out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, copays, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing.
