New laws take effect as 2023 begins
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Several new laws have taken effect now that we’re in 2023. Some are what you might expect, while others are a bit of a surprise.
DONOR SUPPORT ACT
This will allow New Yorkers to be reimbursed for kidney and liver donations. It’s the first of its kind in the nation.
There are over 8,500 people on transplant wait lists. That includes over 7,000 people who are awaiting a kidney, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office.
VOTER REGISTRATION
After a very active election cycle in 2022, voter registration is expanding.
A new measure will allow voters to cast a ballot in an election if their registration forms are received by a board of elections at least 10 days before an election.
Before this, the cut-off date was 25 days before an election.
POLLING PLACES
To increase the number of young adults voting, new legislation will bring polling places to New York college campuses.
Even last summer, schools like the College of Saint Rose incorporated a voter registration drive for students on move-in day.
CRIME RATES
All across New York, many residents have been vocal about wanting Hochul to prioritize criminal justice and lowering crime rates.
The state is establishing a “Blue Alert” system. It’s designed to help law enforcement identify, locate and apprehend a person suspected of a killing, or seriously injuring an officer.
There’s also new legislation establishing a statewide electronic tracking system for sexual offense evidence collection kits – also known as rape kits.
It ensures all survivors of sexual assault have access to information about the status and location of their kits.
PAY RAISES FOR LAWMAKERS
Gov. Hochul has also signed a bill, granting state lawmakers a pay raise.
The raise from $110,000 to $142,000 per year will make them the highest paid legislators in the nation.
Along with the pay boost, they will have to accept some limits on outside income that will effectively amount to $35,000 per year.
This was voted on during a December special session at the state Capitol.