Law new is an area of practice that is growing at a rapid pace. It encompasses legal services offered in new ways, including working with underserved communities and developing strategies that have never been a part of the traditional practice of law. It’s also about finding creative ways to deliver the type of help clients need without compromising other areas of law that might be the primary focus of their firms.

Most ideas for laws come in the form of legislative proposals, called bills. They are numbered in the order they are introduced in Congress. The ones that pass both houses of Congress become Public Laws, or Acts. They are then published in the Federal Register and distributed to the public. New York City legislation takes the form of ordinances, resolutions, initiatives, regulations, rules, laws and plans adopted by the City Council, Planning Commission or other city boards, committees, departments and agencies.

The new year brings many changes to the State of New York. For starters, the minimum wage in New York City and Westchester will rise to $16 an hour on Jan. 1. Additionally, a new bill will make it easier for victims and survivors to apply for crime victim compensation. Another law is aimed at decreasing the number of accidental drug overdoses by allowing local pharmacies and health care providers to give out fentanyl and other drug adulterant testing supplies. This is known as Matthew’s Law, and it was renamed in honor of Matthew Horan, who died from an accidental fentanyl overdose in 2020.

This new year, NYC’s data breach notification laws will be made more consistent with requirements in New York State’s SHIELD Act. This new law will require City agencies that experience a data breach involving persons’ private identifying information to promptly disclose it to affected individuals and to the Chief Privacy Officer. It will also expand the obligation to make this type of disclosure to include situations where it is reasonably believed that a person’s private identifying information has been accessed, disclosed or used by an unauthorized person. Additionally, the City would amend its record retention requirements to ensure that agencies comply with these new laws. The City would also create a new enforcement mechanism for violations of these new laws. This is an important step in ensuring that the privacy rights of City residents are protected. This is an important change that will help protect the personal information of City residents and reduce the likelihood of identity theft and other financial fraud.