New New York Laws Coming in 2026

New York City is ushering in 2026 with a series of new laws. They will affect the healthcare sector, delivery services, street vendors, and worker and consumer rights. News10 tells in more detail.

These changes will affect the minimum wage, safe work practices, delivery standards, and new requirements for educational and medical institutions.

Raising the minimum wage

Since January 1 2026 year Minimal New York State wages will increase by 50 cents, reports Fox 5.

For Downstate residents (New York, Long Island, Westchester) - $17/hour. For Upstate residents - $16/hour.

All workers, including fast food workers, nail salon workers, and tipped workers, must be paid at least the minimum wage.

Employers are required to comply with state wage laws. As of 2023, wage theft is a crime under New York law.

Starting in 2027, the minimum wage will be adjusted annually based on the consumer price index for the Northeast region. Exceptions are possible under certain economic conditions.

Eliminating criminal liability for street vendors

As of March 9, criminal penalties will no longer be applied for violating street vending regulations.

Operating without a license will be punishable by fines or civil penalties.

Requirements for delivery services

From January 26, delivery companies are required to:

• pay contractors for their work within seven days after the billing period;
• provide detailed written payroll reports;
• keep these documents for three years and provide copies upon request.

Tipping when ordering food and groceries online

Starting January 26, food and grocery delivery services (e.g., Uber Eats, Instacart, and others) are required to allow customers to choose their tip before paying for their order. This means the tip option will be visible to customers right at the checkout.

Apps must offer a tip option of at least 10% of the order value. So, if the order costs $50, the customer will automatically be offered a minimum $5 tip, but they can choose to tip more.

Paid sick leave and safety leave

New York City's Safe and Paid Sick Leave Law goes into effect on February 22.

It requires employers to provide employees with 32 hours of paid or unpaid leave per year. Employees can use this time immediately after the law comes into effect.

Employers are required to maintain records and reports on both paid and unpaid leave. Events previously covered by the Temporary Schedule Change Law are now considered legitimate grounds for leave.

While employees can still request changes to their work schedules, employers are no longer required to approve them.

Combating Immigration Fraud

Beginning January 26, the Department of Consumer and Labor Protection will expand its immigration fraud awareness campaigns.

On the subject: New York City Scammers Set Up Fake Immigration Courts to Scam Immigrants Out of Money

The campaigns will be conducted online, in the metro, and on the city streets.

Complaint and inspection reports will be published annually.

Electric Bicycle Safety for Couriers

Starting January 26, e-bike riders must use models that meet New York City safety standards.

Delivery companies are responsible for complying with these rules unless they offer employee exchange or rental programs.

Updated penalty points system for drivers

Starting in February 2026, stricter fines for traffic violations will be introduced:

• license suspension limit: 10 points over two years (instead of 11 points over 18 months);
• speed up to 16 km/h over the limit - 4 points;
• Violation of rules with a mobile phone - 6 points;
• dangerous driving - 8 points;
• Additional violations, previously without points: broken headlights - 1 point, illegal U-turn - 2 points.

New laws for schools, hospitals, and businesses

Starting January 14, all cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) and frontotemporal degeneration disorders must be reported to the State Department of Health. This will help track the spread of the diseases and improve medical research while maintaining patient confidentiality.

The Desch Act goes into effect on January 20. It requires all schools to develop emergency plans for sudden cardiac arrest on campus or during sporting events. Schools are required to train staff and maintain equipment for such emergencies.

Misleading advertising is now prohibited. Companies are protected from lawsuits if potential victims have not suffered financial losses and were provided with a complete and accurate description of the job opening or product in advance.

Changes also affected trust managers. Their fees now amount to one-third of the trust's income, such as interest or dividends, and two-thirds of the principal, that is, the original assets or funds. This limits the ability of large corporate managers to charge additional fees for capital donations.

Medical and social changes from February 3

Starting February 3, hospitals and licensed medical facilities will bill the state for examinations of sexual assault victims. The maximum reimbursement is $1200 if an evidence-based kit is used, and $800 if no kit is used.

Patients can receive a prophylactic course of HIV after potential exposure for up to $2500.

Patient privacy is fully protected, and payment is entirely covered by the insurance company or the state.

Access to assistance for victims of violence will be expanded. Victims may receive exemptions from residency, employment, or child support requirements.

If an injury or mental health problem prevents you from working, your benefits may be extended to 5 years.

Divorce laws have also changed. As of January 20, spouses are required to notify each other of potential financial risks—tax claims, liens, or lawsuits—within 10 days. This prevents money from being hidden or insurance beneficiaries from being changed before the divorce is finalized.

Food, licenses and alcohol

Starting February 10, the state will begin promoting local alcoholic beverages—liqueurs, beer, and cider—through annual awards. The governor selects up to three winners in each category, recognizing restaurants and shops that support local production. The awards are non-monetary.

Starting February 13, all businesses preparing certain types of food (shops, warehouses, and catering establishments) must have a state license. Violations of safety standards will be reviewed daily. Each day of unlicensed operation will be considered a separate violation, resulting in separate fines, which will be cumulative.

Protection of crime victims and new rules for clubs and medical institutions

Starting February 18, employees of hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical facilities will be able to provide testimony about crimes committed directly at their workplace, rather than at the police station. This will reduce stress for victims and facilitate cooperation with law enforcement.

Starting February 19, private clubs, such as coworking spaces or corporate cafeterias, will be able to purchase licenses for the sale and consumption of alcohol on-site. The annual fee will be $20.000 for clubs operating for commercial purposes.

Starting February 19, hospitals without a 24-hour pharmacy will be able to provide patients with a three-day supply of controlled medications in emergency situations. Additionally, doctors will be able to provide interim treatment to patients with addictions before they enter long-term rehabilitation programs.

A new electronic registry of medical professionals certified to work with medical cannabis is being created. This simplifies registration and increases transparency.

From February 19, family judges will be able to issue five-year child and parental protection orders in cases of serious harm, use of a dangerous weapon, or repeated violations of previous court orders.