Law new is a fast-growing area of practice that lawyers need to keep an eye on. It encompasses a broad range of ideas and can mean working with underserved communities, finding creative ways to reach clients, or utilizing strategies that haven’t been used in traditional law firms. This type of practice is an exciting area for any lawyer, and it’s one that is worth studying closely.

Some of the laws new that took effect in 2023 are very broad or could affect a wide variety of people. Others are very specific to a certain industry or will impact individuals in a very unique way. Below are a few of the laws new that will likely have an impact on the lives of many Californians, or will change how people do business in the state.

A Local Law to prohibit retail employers from requiring their employees to remain on-call or waiting to be contacted by their employer in order to determine whether they will need to work a shift. This bill also establishes protections for displaced hotel service workers in the event of a sale or bankruptcy of the hotel and amends the existing laws to provide wage protections during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read Local Law 146 of 2017.

The law would require that any person who wishes to sell cigarettes or other tobacco products must obtain a retail dealer license. The law will also limit the number of tobacco retailer licenses that may be granted in each community district and would require a public hearing before granting a new permit. The law is intended to curb smoking and tobacco use in the city.

This Local Law amends the existing laws on licensing, inspections and penalties for street vendors and other persons who sell food or beverage items to members of the general public on the streets of New York City. The law also provides for a new process for applying to sell foods and beverages on the streets. The law requires a public hearing, provides for additional enforcement resources and authorizes the Department to deny or revoke a license to anyone who commits two or more violations of the law.

The law amends the title and subtitle of the Administrative Code of the City of New York, the Laws of the City of New York, and NYC Rules to reflect that DCWP will now be known as the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, establishes the Office of Labor Standards and the Office of Paid Family & Medical Leave, and provides other changes in agency nomenclature and structure. The law further clarifies the Department’s powers to seek restitution on behalf of consumers and workers, as well as the authority of the Commissioner of DCWP to review or reverse OATH trial decisions. Read Local Law 199 of 2019.