5 Major Laws Hitting the City of New York on January 1st

Here are five of the most significant laws taking effect in the five boroughs on January 1, 2026.

1. The $17 Minimum Wage Milestone

New York City officially reaches a historic wage floor on New Year’s Day. As part of a multi-year phased increase, the minimum wage for all workers in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester will rise to $17.00 per hour.

• The Impact: This is a $0.50 increase from the 2025 rate. For a full-time worker, this adds roughly $1,000 in annual gross income.

• Tipped Workers: The "tip credit" is also adjusting, meaning waitstaff and bartenders will see their base cash wage rise to $11.34 per hour, provided their tips make up the difference to reach the $17 total.

  
  
  

• Future Proofing: This is the final "scheduled" jump; starting in 2027, the minimum wage will be indexed to inflation to ensure paychecks keep pace with the cost of living.

2. The LLC Transparency Act (The End of "Mystery Landlords")

For decades, anonymous LLCs have allowed property owners to hide their identities, making it difficult for tenants to hold "slumlords" accountable. Starting January 1st, the LLC Transparency Act changes the rules of engagement in the NYC real estate market.

• Disclosure: Most limited liability companies (LLCs) must now disclose their beneficial owners—the actual human beings who profit from or control the entity—to a state database.

• Deadline: New LLCs formed after January 1st have only 30 days to file, while existing companies have until the end of the year to pull back the curtain.

• Enforcement: Failure to comply can result in steep daily fines and the potential loss of legal standing in New York courts.

3. The 30-Day Return Mandate for Large Retailers

Shopping in NYC is getting a consumer-friendly upgrade. New legislation taking effect this January targets the return policies of major retailers (those with 500 or more employees).

• The Rule: These large retailers are now required to offer a minimum 30-day window for returns, exchanges, or store credit for most purchases.

• Transparency: Stores must clearly display their return and refund policies at the point of sale. If a store fails to post its policy, it must provide a full cash refund within 30 days of purchase for unused and undamaged goods.

4. Paid Prenatal Leave (A First-in-the-Nation Policy)

New York becomes the first state in the country to mandate a stand-alone paid prenatal leave policy. This is a significant expansion of the state’s already robust Paid Family Leave laws.

• The Benefit: Pregnant employees are now entitled to an additional 20 hours of paid sick leave specifically for prenatal medical appointments, ultrasounds, and procedures.

• Separate Bank: Importantly, this time is provided in addition to the existing paid sick leave and safe time that employees already accrue, ensuring that expecting parents don't have to "trade" their recovery time for their checkups.

5. The SAFE for Kids Act (Addictive Algorithm Ban)

In a major move to protect the mental health of younger New Yorkers, the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act begins full enforcement on January 1st.

• Algorithmic Limits: Social media platforms are now prohibited from serving "addictive," algorithmically-driven feeds to users under 18 without explicit parental consent.

• "Digital Curfew": The law also restricts platforms from sending notifications to minors between midnight and 6 a.m. to ensure students aren't being kept awake by late-night "nudges" from apps.

• Parental Controls: Apps must provide clear, easy-to-use tools for parents to manage their children's digital engagement.

Honorable Mention: The "Gas Ban" Phased-In

While currently facing some legal hurdles, January 1st marks a key milestone for the All-Electric Buildings Act. Most new residential buildings seven stories or under must now be constructed without fossil fuel connections, utilizing electric heat pumps and induction stoves instead of traditional gas lines.