As the calendar turns to 2025, New York is preparing to roll out a series of laws addressing everything from public safety and education to healthcare and social media transparency. The changes span the entire year, with significant legislation taking effect in April, May, and beyond.
Beginning April 1, veterans’ organizations will receive yearly cost-of-living adjustments tied to inflation for funeral expense reimbursements, capped at $2,000 per burial. Additionally, family courts will gain authority to handle name changes for minors during related custody or paternity cases, provided all parties consent.
By mid-April, medically fragile young adults will be allowed to stay in pediatric nursing facilities until age 36, with Medicaid covering costs at pre-existing rates. Schools will also face new mandates, including five-year safety plans and restrictions on funding violence prevention programs involving firearms in demonstrations.
Limousine safety emerges as a key focus in 2025. Starting April 20, it will become a crime for companies to allow suspended drivers to operate their vehicles, punishable by fines ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. Additionally, stretch limos must meet enhanced safety standards, including regular inspections, driver training, and mandatory safety equipment like window breakers and fire extinguishers.
In public transportation, April 21 marks the introduction of mandatory seat belts for charter bus passengers aged 8 to 16, with strict compliance and inspection standards enforced.
Social media platforms are also under increased scrutiny. Beginning in May, the Stop Hiding Hate Act will require platforms to publish clear terms of service, outline content moderation practices, and submit compliance reports to the state Attorney General.
Maternal health takes center stage in May, with healthcare providers mandated to screen for maternal depression during pregnancy and postpartum. Hospitals and birthing centers must also provide clearer information on safety drills, emergency transfers, and racial disparity plans.
Further into the summer, new rules focus on public safety and digital privacy. Starting July, the New York Child Data Protection Act will impose restrictions on collecting and sharing children’s personal data, while police will face stricter reporting requirements for vehicle crashes involving motorcycles, scooters, and e-bikes.
Electronic hunting licenses will debut in August, allowing hunters to carry licenses and report harvests digitally. Meanwhile, September brings heat mitigation requirements in schools, mandating evacuation plans when classroom temperatures exceed 88 degrees.
In the fall, legislation targeting abuse of power within probation systems will take effect, explicitly defining sexual relationships between probation officers and those under their supervision as nonconsensual.
As the year concludes, opioid overdose medications will become mandatory in public buildings, and athletic trainers will be required to hold licenses and report suspected child abuse. Finally, crime victims will have expanded access to compensation programs, including the ability to file claims without police reports.
These laws represent only a portion of the legislative changes set to reshape daily life in New York throughout 2025.
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