The new year has ushered in many changes to laws across the country. For example, in New York, a law passed in 2021 has now taken effect and will make it easier for local pharmacies to offer drug testing kits that test for fentanyl and other drug adulterants. The law, named Matthew’s Law after a young man who died of a fentanyl overdose, also allows victims to get help and testing supplies from the government more easily.
Other notable state laws now in effect include legislation that gives voters some leeway on election day, requires landlords to give tenants a notice about water quality issues and bars the installation of keyless security systems in buildings. In addition, state lawmakers in Missouri have made it a misdemeanor to sleep or camp on any public land in the state.
Laws can be passed at any time, but January is a common time for them to take effect. These changes, referred to as law new, can have a major impact on people and businesses. Some of these changes are being implemented in response to recent events or concerns that the government feels should be addressed immediately.
These laws may also be aimed at making legal services more accessible to clients in a way that is not traditionally part of the law firm model. This can include working with underserved communities and creating strategies that serve a specific group of people or addressing issues that have not been a part of the legal landscape in the past.
Regardless of how these changes are referred to, it is important for everyone involved in the legal profession to be aware of and understand them. That is because they could potentially affect their own business and how they work with clients. By learning about these changes, lawyers can create a plan to incorporate them into their own practice in ways that benefit their clients and add value to their legal services. This could be a way to diversify their offerings and generate additional revenue while still serving the interests of their clients in a different way than is typical in their firms. Ultimately, it is about finding the best way to provide valuable legal help and support that benefits the public. It is about being nimble and changing as the world around us changes. That is what makes law new so interesting to learn about.