New York State Bills Passed – Legislative Session 2022

Signed Into Law By the Governor

• Microstamping Ammunition – Requires the Division of Criminal Justice Services to first examine the technological viability of microstamping-enabled pistols, and if such investigation deems the technology viable, requires semiautomatic pistols sold in New York State to be microstamping-enabled (A.7926-A (AM L. Rosenthal) / S.4116-A (Sen. Hoylman), Chp. 205). This bill was part of a package of gun control measures adopted by the Legislature, a number of which are in line with previous calls from the City Bar – and so many others – for further gun safety measures. Supported by the Criminal Justice Operations Committee.
• Expanded Supported Decision-Making Options – Ensures that the rights of people with intellectual, developmental, cognitive and psychosocial disabilities are properly protected by creating Supported Decision-Making as a less restrictive alternative to guardianship. Supported by the Mental Health Law Committee and Disability Law Committee (A.8586-B (AM Simon) / S.7107-B (Sen. Mannion), Chp. 481).
• Extended Estate Tax Treatment of Dispositions to Surviving Spouses Who are Not U.S. Citizens – Extends the expiration of provisions relating to the estate tax treatment of dispositions for certain surviving spouses. Supported by the Estate and Gift Taxation Committee (David E. Stutzman, Chair) and Trusts, Estates and Surrogate’s Courts Committee (A.10444 (AM Quart) / S.9398 (Sen. Cooney), Chp. 357).
• Modernizing Non-Proft Law – Modernizes provisions of law relating to members, directors and officers to align with current practices, streamline procedures and eliminate unnecessary regulatory burdens. Supported by the Non-Profit Organizations Committee (A.9969 (AM Paulin) / S.9047 (Sen. Comrie), Chp. 614).
• Addressing “Wrong Church” Ballots – Requires counting affidavit ballots of eligible voters if a voter appears at a polling place in the correct county but in the incorrect election district. Supported by the Election Law Committee (A.642-C (AM Carroll)  S.284-C (Sen. Myrie), Chp. 661).
• Puppy Bill Pipeline Bill – Combats cruel companion animal breeding practices by prohibiting the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits by retail pet shops; authorizes space for adoption. Supported by the Animal Law Committee (A.4283 (AM L. Rosenthal) / S.1130 (Sen. Gianaris), Chp. 681, Approval Memo 40).
• Animal Testing Ban for Cosmetics – Prohibits the manufacture or sale of cosmetics tested on animals. Supported by the Animal Law Committee (A.5653-B (AM L. Rosenthal) / S.4839-B (Sen. Biaggi), Chp. 682).
• Establishing a Ten-Day Voter Registration Deadline – Reduces the time for mailing and receipt of registration application to constitutional minimum. Supported by the Election Law Committee (A.8858-A (AM Carroll) / S.2951-A (Sen. Kavanagh), Chp. 765).

Other

• New York Equality Amendment –  The Sex and Law Committee, the Civil Rights Committee, the LGBTQ Rights Committee, the Mental Helath Law Committee, and the Women in the Legal Profession Committee supported first-passage of a Constitutional amendment that would declare that equal rights may not be denied on account of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, disability and sex, including pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. The Amendment will need to pass both houses of the Legislature again before it can be put before the voters in a referendum to see if it will be adopted.

Adopted as Part of the Budget

• Judiciary Budget and civil legal services funding
• Open meetings and public hearings required to be held in a hybrid format
• Greater equity in Medicaid eligibility rules

Learn More!

Policy Update: 2022-23 New York State Budget Recap

2022 New York State Legislative Session Wrap Up 

2021-22 Committee Year Highlights

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