These New York laws take effect in 2026
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NEW YORK - New York will ring in 2026 with a series of new laws affecting workers, delivery services, street vendors and consumer protections.
What we know:
The state’s minimum wage will also rise on Jan. 1, increasing to $17 for downstate workers and $16 for upstate workers.
JUMP TO:
- Minimum wage increase
- Street vendor penalty reform
- Delivery pay transparency law
- Paid sick leave
- Mandatory tip prompt for online orders
- Gratuity standards for delivery workers
- Immigration fraud outreach law
- Safe e-bike requirements for delivery workers
- Driver penalty and points system overhaul
Here’s a breakdown of the major changes taking effect throughout the year:
Minimum wage increase
Local perspective:
New York State’s minimum wage will increase by 50 cents on Jan. 1, 2026. The new rates will be: Downstate (NYC, Long Island, Westchester): $17/hour and Upstate: $16/hour.
All workers in New York, including fast-food workers, nail salon employees, tipped workers and more, must be paid at least the minimum wage. Employers are also required to comply with state wage laws, and as of 2023, wage theft is considered larceny under New York penal law.
Beginning in 2027, the minimum wage will adjust annually based on the Consumer Price Index for the Northeast Region, unless certain economic conditions trigger an off-ramp.
Criminal penalties repealed for street vendors
The city will end misdemeanor criminal penalties for general vendors and mobile food vendors on March 9, 2026.
Instead, operating without a license or violating other street-vending rules will result in fines or civil penalties – not criminal charges.
Delivery services must disclose pay calculation
Delivery companies will be required on Jan. 26, 2026, to pay contracted delivery workers within seven days after a pay period and provide detailed written pay statements explaining how compensation was calculated.
In this photo illustration a Instacart logo seen displayed on a smartphone with with fruits in a market in the background. (Credit: Thiago Prudencio/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Companies must retain these records for three years and provide copies on request.
Paid sick leave
New York City’s Paid Safe and Sick Time Act will require employers to provide 32 hours of unpaid safe and sick leave per year, effective Feb. 22, 2026, and employees may use this time immediately.
Employers must track and report both paid and unpaid leave balances, and events once covered under the Temporary Schedule Change Act will now qualify as valid reasons for leave. While employees may still request schedule changes, employers will no longer be required to approve them.
Tip option required upfront for food, grocery orders
Third-party food and grocery delivery platforms must begin offering customers a gratuity option before or at the time an online order is placed starting Jan. 26, 2026.
Standardized gratuity options for delivery workers
Apps like Uber Eats and Instacart must include a gratuity option of at least 10% of the purchase price on every order as of January 26, 2026.
Expanded outreach on immigration-assistance fraud
The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection will be required on January 26, 2026 to expand public education campaigns—online, in subways, and in public spaces, warning New Yorkers about scams involving immigration-assistance providers.
Annual reports on complaints and inspections will also be required.
Safe e-bike standards for contracted delivery workers
Delivery workers who use powered bicycles must begin using models that meet NYC safety standards and accredited testing certification on January 26, 2026.
Delivery services are responsible for compliance unless they significantly support approved trade-in or rental programs that help workers access compliant devices.
Updated driver points system
New York will implement stricter penalties for traffic violations starting Feb. 2026. The license suspension threshold will shift from 11 points in 18 months to 10 points in two years.
Penalties for common violations will increase. For example, speeding up to 10 mph over the limit will rise from 3 to 4 points, cell phone violations from 5 to 6 points, and reckless driving from 5 to 8 points.
Additional violations that previously carried no points will now be penalized, including 1 point for broken headlights or taillights and 2 points for illegal U-turns. Officials say the changes are intended to improve road safety.