NEW YORK (WABC) — A number of major laws went into effect at midnight to start 2024. Among them, the minimum wage rose in NYC, Westchester and Long Island to $16 per hour. And new legislation aims to protect NYCHA residents when it comes to water and security. It requires that NYCHA notify tenants within 24 hours if their water is safe to drink and ensures those who analyze samples for the department comply with all federal, state and local laws.
Another law, known as Matthew’s Law, will make drug adulterant testing resources more available to the public. It’s named after a man who died of an accidental fentanyl overdose in 2020. The legislation will enable victims and survivors to apply for crime victim compensation without having to provide proof of the crime, such as a sworn police report or other documentation.
If a bill passes both chambers of Congress, it will become a public law, or act. It can then be enforced by the courts or other government agencies. To learn more about how a bill becomes law, click here to read our article on How Our Laws Are Made. The Consolidated Laws of the United States is the official collection of all laws passed by Congress and the various executive and judicial branch agencies.