An updated version of the Suffolk County Human Rights Law was just released. It has an amended section 528-10(A) as to credit discrimination - mortgage lending, which states as follows:

Unlawful discriminatory practices in relation to credit.

A. 

It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice for any creditor or any officer, agent or employee thereof:

(1) 

In the case of applications for credit with respect to the purchase, acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, repair or maintenance of any housing accommodation, land or commercial space, to discriminate against such applicant because of the group identity of such applicant or applicants, or any member, stockholder, director, officer, or employee of such applicant or applicants, or of the prospective occupants or tenants of such housing accommodation, land or commercial space, or because of the lawful source of income of such individual or individuals, in the granting, withholding, extending, renewing, or in the fixing of the rates, terms or conditions of any such financial assistance or credit; or

[Amended 11-21-2023 by L.L. No. 35-2023]

(2) 

To use any form of application for credit or make any record or inquiry in connection with applications for financial assistance or credit which expresses, directly or indirectly, limitations, specifications, preferences, or discrimination because of the group identity or lawful source if income of the applicant or the applicants; or

[Amended 11-21-2023 by L.L. No. 35-2023]

(3) 

To discriminate in the granting, withholding, extending or renewing, or in the fixing of the rates, terms or conditions of any form of credit, on the basis of an applicant's or applicants' group identity or lawful source of income; or

[Amended 11-21-2023 by L.L. No. 35-2023]

(4) 

To refuse to consider sources of an applicant's income or to subject an applicant's income to discounting, in whole or in part, because of an applicant's group identity.

On January 26, 2024, Governor Hochul signed Bill No. A08494 to amend the multiple residence and dwelling law in New York State. Now, owners and agents of multiple residences and multiple dwellings need to provide emergency personnel a list of names and contact information of residents on lease execution, lease renewal, lease amendment, and now, on annual recertification if an owner is a public corporation regulated by the public housing law. 

The underlying law is important so first responders know that everyone is safe that should be in the housing in events like fires. However, the most vulnerable residents in these situations are often the ones without voices for themselves who are relegated to living in public housing. This new amendment is specific to them and applies the law of providing occupant lists to first responders for residents in housing owned by a public corporation under the public housing law. 

The amendment to the multiple residence and dwelling laws goes into effect on February 15, 2024. To learn more and read bill A08494, click here. How do you envision this impacting community safety? Let us know your thoughts below.

There is a NEW reporting requirement for business owners in 2024. 

Beneficial Ownership Information Filings

The landscape of corporate transparency in the United States has undergone significant changes with the introduction of the federal Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) in 2021, which will go hand-in-hand with specific reporting requirements set forth by New York State (NYS).  Lieb at Law is committed to guiding your business through both these mandates, ensuring full compliance without the hassle.

Federal Reporting Requirements: The Corporate Transparency Act

The CTA, a bipartisan effort aimed at combating financial crimes, mandates certain businesses to report beneficial ownership information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

Who Must Comply?

• Domestic Reporting Companies: Corporations, LLCs, or similar entities formed by filing with a secretary of state or comparable office within any U.S. state or tribal jurisdiction.
• Foreign Reporting Companies: Entities formed under foreign laws but registered to do business in the U.S. through a similar filing process.

Key Deadlines:

• Pre-2024 Entities: Companies established or registered before January 1, 2024, must submit their initial report by January 1, 2025.
• Entities Formed or Registered in 2024: Must file within 90 days of registration or official notification.
• Post-2024 Entities: Have 30 days from notification to file their initial report.

New York State Reporting Requirements

In addition to federal mandates, NYS has set its own reporting requirements for corporate entities to further enhance transparency and combat illicit financial activities within the state. NYS's reporting requirements go into effect at the end of 2024. To learn more click here to read our blog post. 

Who Is Affected?

• All entities required to comply with the federal CTA. 
• In December of 2024, entities operating within NYS must also adhere to state-specific reporting requirements.

State-Specific Mandates Will Include:

• Additional details on beneficial ownership might be required, aligning with or expanding upon federal mandates.
• Reporting frequencies, deadlines, and procedures specific to NYS, which may differ from federal requirements.

How Lieb at Law Can Assist:

The intricacies of adhering to both federal and state reporting mandates can be daunting. The team at Lieb at Law understands the nuances of both federal and NYS mandates. We will help your business submit reports accurately to both FinCEN and NYS authorities. Reach out today to secure your peace of mind in this new era of corporate transparency. Click here for more information or email info@liebatlaw.com

*Attorney Advertising

Connetquot's targeting LGBTQ+ teachers and students in creating a hostile environment must end, but even worse, Connetquot, as a part of the government, must respect its teacher's freedom of symbolic speech by letting them personalize the walls and doors of their classrooms, as SCOTUS recognized emphatically in Tinker v. Des Moines. We cannot let government intrude on our Bill of Rights by engaging in viewpoint discrimination. Full article about the case Lieb at Law is representing featured in Newsday https://www.newsday.com/long-island/education/connetquot-schools-pride-flag-lawsuit-h4xq59ol

The Department of Labor (DOL) announced that on March 11, 2024, a new rule, 89 FR 1638, will go into effect restoring the multifactor analysis used by courts for decades in determining if an individual is an employee or Independent Contractor (IC) under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). 

Misclassifying workers as ICs rather than employees can result in wage claims with liquidated damages and attorneys' fees under the FLSA, which can be catastrophic for business to continue to exist. Simply, you have to get it right and ICs that are misclassified have excellent cases because liquidated damages are two (2) times the amount not received. 

This new rule is being announced because DOL had concerns about the 2021 IC Rule where it did not fully align with the FLSA's text and purpose. 

The six factors under the New Rule are:

1. Opportunity for profit or loss
2. Financial stake and nature of resources invested in the work
3. Degree of permanence of the work relationship
4. Degree of control the employer has over the person’s work
5. Whether the work is essential to the employer’s business
6. Worker’s skill and initiative

This new rule provides a consistent approach for conducting business with ICs and employes. 

You can read the Department of Labor's release on this new law here. You can read the final rule here. 

On December 22, 2023 Governor Hochul signed Bill A3484A amending New York State's limited liability company law and the executive law. This new amendment will significantly transform the landscape of limited liability companies (LLCs) in New York. How will this bill accomplish this? By eradicating anonymous ownership of LLCs. 

This amendment defines beneficial ownership while also mandating the disclosure of beneficial owners upon the formation of an LLC, and publicizing this information in New York State's business entity database. 

This change to the law stems from concerns about the repercussions of anonymous corporate ownership. It highlights the misuse of anonymous LLCs for various illicit activities, including tax evasion, funding criminal organizations, money laundering, and even hindering routine code enforcement.

This legislative move aligns New York State with global efforts to foster transparency in corporate ownership. By mandating disclosure and establishing a public database, this change to the law aims to curtail illicit activities associated with anonymous ownership while protecting genuine privacy concerns through specific exemptions and waivers.

The transparency this law brings will save time, money, and resources for those suing an LLC. This will reduce unnecessary motion practices and other additional steps that had been required in order to determine who to serve when suing an LLC. 

This bill stands as a significant step towards a more transparent and accountable business landscape in New York State.

This law comes into effect on December 21, 2024, 365 days after being signed by the Governor. To learn more about Bill A3484A , click here. 

On 1/12/24, the Justice Department announced a proposed rule revision under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), targeting the accessibility of Medical Diagnostic Equipment (MDE) in state and local government entities. This move is a significant step towards ensuring that medical diagnostic equipment is accessible to all, regardless of disability. 

The rule, proposed by the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, seeks to amend title II of the ADA regulations. The primary goal is to establish explicit requirements, including technical standards, for accessible MDE provided by state and local governments. 

Key Provisions:

• Adoption of Standards: The rule proposes adopting standards set by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board for MDE.
• Scoping Requirements: Specifics on the amount and type of accessible MDE required.
• Deadline for Comments: Stakeholders can submit comments until February 12, 2024, primarily through the electronic Federal Docket Management System.