We pass many laws in the state Legislature during session; however, some enacted laws have delayed effective dates. Please see below for the new laws that take effect this month.

 

NEW LAWS TAKING EFFECT – APRIL 2026

Effective Date Chapter Summary
4/1/2026 Ch. 56 of 2024

PART LL

A8806C/S8306C

Enacts the Dr. John L. Flateau Voting and Elections Database of New York Act, which requires local boards of election to transmit election results and voter files to the New York State Board of Election’s voting and elections database by January 1st after each election, or within 10 business days, whichever is later.
4/1/2026 Ch. 585 of 2024

A7570/S8650

 

Ch. 32 of 2025

A924/S772

Provides for automatic enrollment in the Medicare Savings Program by allowing low-income subsidy data from the Social Security Administration transmitted to local departments of social services to be treated as an application for the Medicare savings program.
4/1/2026 Ch. 59 of 2025

Part D, §3

A3009C/S3009C

Increases the total amount of allocable tax credit for the New York State Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program from $187 million to $217 million.
4/1/2026 Ch. 59 of 2025

Part WW

A3009C/S3009C

Clarifies how revenues from the sales and compensating use taxes for the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District are divided: 85% will be allocated to the dedicated mass transportation fund with 85% allocated to the New York City Transit Authority and its subsidiaries and 15% allocated to the Long Island Rail Road Company and Metro North commuter railroad company.

 

4/1/2026 Ch. 612 of 2025

A6264/S5246

Expands the definition of veteran to include members of the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service, making them eligible for veterans’ benefits.
4/18/2026 Ch. 681 of 2025

A1316/S3072

 

Ch. 71 of 2026

A9475/S8789

Prohibits the use of consumer credit history in hiring, employment and licensing determinations.
4/18/2026 Ch. 684 of 2025

A5434/S3781

 

Ch. 26 of 2026

A9482/S8791

Requires local social services districts to provide luggage to youth in foster care and provides that eligible expenditures for luggage will be subject to state reimbursement under the foster care block grant.
4/18/2026 Ch. 704 of 2025

A8728/S8071A

 

Ch. 79 of 2026

A9502/S8809

Enacts the Avoiding Vexatious Overuse of Impleading to Delay (AVOID) Act which sets time frames for commencing third party actions.
4/20/2026 Ch. 58 of 2024

Part K, §7

A8808C/S8308C

Makes it illegal to operate a stretch limousine if it is more than 10 years old or the mileage exceeds 350,000 miles.