Starting on October 19, 2022, fines are going to be issued to any person who obstructs handicapped parking areas at a shopping center with one to four retail stores throughout New York State pursuant to S8822. 

That is not to say that this is all that can happen if landlords don't enforce and/or provide for handicapped parking at their shopping centers. Landlords who do not provide for access for the disabled can be sued under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state specific laws like the New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL). So, such landlords should actively enforce their handicapped parking by also towing violators. Nonetheless, individuals who obstruct such spaces can't be sued under the ADA, so, it's a welcome sign that such obstructors will, at least, be ticketed for their thoughtless infraction.

Starting on February 19, 2022, the maximum fine for real estate license law violations has been doubled from $1,000 to $2,000 by S945B. Brokers beware. 

Further, 50% of these fines, for violating Article 12-A and 19 NYCRR 175, will be used to establish an Anti-Discrimination in Housing Fund (ADHF). 

The ADHF shall be controlled by the NYS Attorney General and may be used for:

• Fair housing testing;
• Grants to duly applying county, city, town or village human rights commissions;
• Grants to duly applying county, city, town or village agencies specializing in the prevention of unlawful discrimination in housing; &
• Grants to duly applying not-for-profit agencies specializing in the prevention of unlawful discrimination in housing. 

• Harassing a restaurant patron because of their accent;
• Refusing repairs on a unit occupied by an immigrant family and threatening to call ICE if they complain;
• Paying a lower wage or withholding wages to workers because of their immigration status; and
• Harassing a store customer by telling them to stop speaking their language and demanding they speak English.