New Law is a term used to refer to a number of things in the legal world: it can mean alternative legal services providers, firms or companies that provide innovative legal technology or that are augmenting traditional legal service offerings; it can also refer to new laws passed by legislatures, regulatory agencies or courts; it can even refer to a specific piece of legislation or a legislative proposal that makes significant changes to existing laws. The term has been adopted by a wide range of businesses, startups and other entities that have used it to distinguish themselves in the marketplace.

The creation of new law is an essential process through which Congress can shape public policy, reflect the needs and concerns of citizens and respond to changing social trends. The development of a law usually involves multiple stages, including drafting, committee review and floor debate. The use of committees in the legislative process can help streamline legislation and facilitate detailed analysis and discussion about specific issues. In addition, the use of bipartisan support can contribute to the success of a new law.

Several bills have been passed by the City Council in recent days, including an amendment to data breach notification laws that would require the disclosure of private information if it was accessed, disclosed or misused by unauthorized individuals, and a new law that would permit employers to waive the requirement that their employees receive flu vaccinations. Other new bills include one that would require the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection to prepare a notice for City agency employees and job applicants regarding federal and State student loan forgiveness programs, and another that would allow local government officials to grant waivers of the requirement that employers obtain a permit to post employee salary information in public places.

The latest edition of State & Local Law News features an article examining the evolution of the “New Natural Law” theory, which is an interpretation of Thomistic natural law theory that was first proposed in the 1960s by Germain Grisez in an interpretative article on St. Thomas Aquinas and has been richly developed by scholars such as John Finnis, Joseph Boyle and others. This article looks at the evolution of this theory as it has been applied to a variety of issues, including free choice, moral absolutes and abortion.

Governor Kathy Hochul joined City leaders and activists today to celebrate the passage of Sammy’s Law, a bill that will allow New York City to lower its speed limits on nearly all roads. The bill, named for 12-year-old Sammy Cohen Eckstein, who died after being struck by a driver in Brooklyn, will save lives and reduce injuries by reducing the number of traffic deaths and serious injuries caused by crashes on streets where speeds remain above 20 miles per hour. This is the second time that the City has adopted such a law, which was previously approved by the voters in 2008. The City has now reduced its speed limits to 25 miles per hour in all urban areas, and the rest of the City will do so later this year.