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New laws New Yorkers should know for 2018

Posted at 6:30 PM, Jan 01, 2018
and last updated 2018-01-01 18:30:34-05

A new year in New York brings with it some new laws that are going into affect. New Yorkers will see many changes in 2018 that affect a wide array of subjects.

Paid Family Leave:

Starting in 2018, most people who work for private companies will be able to take up to eight weeks of paid leave to care for a newborn, a close relative with a serious health condition or help a family member deployed overseas for military service.

Employees are eligible to receive up to half their weekly pay and the law is funded through employee payroll deductions. Those are capped at .126 percent of an employee's weekly wage.

Minimum Wage Increase:

For the second straight year, the state minimum wage increases. This is part of the phased approach to raise the minimum wage closer to $15 in New York. Outside of New York City, Long Island and Westchester County, the minimum wage goes from $9.70 to $10.40.

Tax Cuts:

A middle class tax cut, passed in 2016, goes into effect January 1. In 2018, 4.4 million New Yorkers will benefit and when the cut is fully phased in, New Yorkers will save $4.2 billion each year, according to New York State.

An expansion of the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit takes place in 2018. For taxpayers who make between $50,000 and $150,000 per year, the current cap on child care expenses will go up from $6,000 to $9,000. The exact number depends on the number of children in the family.

Snowmobiles:

The state is adjusting its rules around snowmobiles "to require that the vehicle is equipped with a motor and was originally manufactured and designed for travel on snow or ice. The definitions also authorize tracked cleats, in addition to skis and belts for support."

Penalties for operating an unregistered snowmobile, failing to renew a registration or improperly displaying the registration will now be a minimum of $200. The new laws also limit the use of snowmobiles to land "designed to be used on public trails".

For more information about these changes or to see what other laws are coming to NYS in 2018, you can read the state's full list here.