New York's 2019 Legislative Session comes to an end

ALBANY, N.Y. (WKBW) — New York's 2019 Legislative Session came to an end Friday morning with a flurry of last minute activity, so what passed?

• Decriminalizing marijuana - a bill to decriminalize marijuana possession was passed, low-level criminal charges will now receive civil tickets similar to a parking ticket and it create a process for expunging past marijuana convictions for those arrested for small amounts.

• Hemp regulation - a bill to regulate hemp was passed, which will establish growers, manufacturers and extractor licenses in regards to industrial hemp and builds in protections for consumers.

• Pay equity - a bill which prohibits pay differentials based on protected class status was passed.

• Buffalo School Board elections - a bill which changes the Buffalo Board of Education elections from May to November was passed in an effort to address the low voter turnout issue.

• Erin's Law - a bill mandating all children in grades kindergarten to eighth grade receive instruction designed to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse was passed and will be known as Erin's Law.

• Land alienation in Amherst - a bill which authorizes the Town of Amherst to alienate the Audobon Golf Course for ownership by Mensch Capital in exchange for ownership of the Westwood Country Club and creation of a 'central park" was passed.

• Eliminate the gay and trans panic defense - a bill that closes a loophole in New York State Law in which individuals could claim a gay and trans panic defense after attacking another based on gender, gender identity or sexual orientation.

• Farmworkers Bill of Rights - a bill which establishes a bill of rights for farmworkers and allows overtime pay, rest day and right to unionize.

Governor Cuomo said this is the most productive legislative session in modern history.