Politics & Government

5 New Laws That Will Affect NYC In 2018

Here are some city and state statutes that are likely to impact you.

NEW YORK, NY — The new year will bring many changes to city and state laws. From smoking regulations to a higher minimum wage, many new statutes will affect New Yorkers' everyday lives.

Here are five laws set to take effect Jan. 1 that you need to know about.

Paid Family Leave

The state Legislature passed a statewide paid family leave program for private-sector employees as part of the state budget in April. Similar to Social Security, the state will take a small cut of your paycheck — $1.63 a week at the most — and put it into a statewide fund. That fund will pay for any New Yorker to take up to eight weeks off work to care for an ailing family member or bond with a new child.

Find out what's happening in New York Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Minimum Wage

The state Legislature approved a plan in 2016 to raise the minimum wage to $15 across the state. The law ramps up wage hikes each year until 2019 for New York City and 2021 for the rest of the state. Starting in 2018, New York City employers with 11 or more workers will have to pay at least $13 an hour, while those with 10 or fewer workers must pay at least $12 an hour.

No Cigarettes In Pharmacies

One of several sweeping anti-smoking laws Mayor Bill de Blasio signed this summer bans pharmacies from selling cigarettes and other tobacco products after their current tobacco licenses expire in 2018. The rule will impact 550 pharmacies across the five boroughs.

Find out what's happening in New York Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The mayor also signed a law raising the minimum price for a package of cigarettes to $13 from $10.50, and setting a new minimum price for all other tobacco products. The city will also halve the number of businesses with licenses to sell tobacco. All told, it's going to get harder to buy cigarettes in New York City.

Child Care Tax Credit

The state Legislature voted to expand a child care tax credit for families with up to five kids making $50,000 to $150,000 a year. The law, set to take effect Jan. 1, raises the cap on tax-deductible child care to $9,000 form $6,000.

Seatbelts In Cabs

It might have been common sense before, but now it's the law. A state statute that took effect Nov. 1 requires every taxi and livery driver to wear a seatbelt, along with any front-seat passenger in a cab or livery car.

(Lead image: The New York State Capitol in Albany is pictured in 2008. Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images)


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