By Blake Jackson
New York’s 2025 legislative session has seen Governor Kathy Hochul sign six bills into law, with 11 more awaiting her approval. The enacted laws address issues ranging from housing finance to agriculture and child welfare.
Among the signed bills, S735/A420 increases the bond limit for the New York State Housing Finance Agency to $36.28 billion, supporting housing projects. Another law, S757/A915, allows child care block grant funds to be used during a family's presumptive eligibility period, taking effect in July. S779/A596 adds an agricultural representative to the State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council, increasing its members to 17 by July 1.
A significant change in agricultural laws comes with S780/A417, which now categorizes cannabis cultivation as an agricultural product under state law. Another measure, S784/A917, ensures adoptive parents continue receiving subsidies only if they actively support and care for the child, with payments potentially going directly to the child if they are 18 or older. Lastly, S795/A414 includes milk and dairy products in the Nourish New York program, enabling them to be used in hunger relief efforts.
The legislature has also passed 11 bills that are still awaiting the governor’s signature. These proposed laws cover various areas, including pharmacy regulations, emergency response training, and tenant safety. One measure, S36A/A2145A, would allow prescription labels for specific medications to feature the healthcare practice’s name instead of the prescriber’s. Another, S736/A1020, updates emergency training for lithium-ion battery fires.
Tenant protection is also addressed with S749/A519, which mandates the installation of smoke detectors in common areas of apartment buildings with three or more units by the end of 2025. Additionally, S770/A693 ensures crime victims receive accurate information about available support services.
Other pending bills focus on consumer and online safety. S777/A843 introduces penalties for unauthorized third-party restaurant reservations, while S778/A428 requires dating apps to notify users of fraudulent activities within 24 hours. Another measure, S797/A434, allows domestic violence survivors to block third-party access to vehicle tracking systems by 2028.
The proposed Health Information Privacy Act (S929/A2141) aims to regulate health data sales, imposing significant penalties for violations. If signed, these bills will further impact public safety, consumer rights, and privacy protections across New York.
Photo Credit: istock-fangxianuo
Categories: New York, Government & Policy