Albany, NY – This month, Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D-119) is announcing a host of legislative achievements are set to soon take effect, bolstering mental health support for law enforcement officers, promoting veterans’ volunteerism, and supporting small businesses including bars & restaurants, while ensuring the protection of cash payments.

“Together, these legislative accomplishments work to ensure that all of our officers have access to and receive the mental health support necessary in response to line of duty traumas, that our veterans and returning heroes are aware of the meaningful volunteer opportunities awaiting them, and ensure that our businesses have the ability to quickly respond to consumer demands while protecting the right of all consumers to pay in-cash for their services,” said the Assemblywoman.

The following bills will take effect this month, March 2026:

Law Enforcement

(A.6721A) The "Lieutenant Joseph Banish Mental Health Act" - Establishing a Law Enforcement Peer-to-Peer Support Program Ch. 641 of 2025 & Ch.61 of 2026

Purpose: Known as the Lieutenant Joseph Banish Mental Health Act, this transformative piece of legislation establishes a confidential peer support program for law enforcement officers. Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D–119), a proud co-sponsor, praised the bill as a compassionate and essential step toward addressing the mental health challenges faced by police officers across New York.

Impact: The legislation ensures that law enforcement personnel have access to trained peer counselors, fellow officers who can offer emotional support after exposure to trauma, while maintaining strict confidentiality, except in cases that pose a risk to safety. This model, inspired by the bipartisan federal COPS Counseling Act, is designed to reduce stigma and increase access to support, especially in the wake of critical incidents. The act is named in honor of Lieutenant Joseph Banish, a respected New York State Trooper who tragically died by suicide. His family has since dedicated themselves to mental health advocacy, and this bill stands as a legacy of hope, healing, and proactive care in his name. The peer support program will be overseen by the Division of Criminal Justice Services and ensures that police departments across the state can designate and train peer counselors while respecting the boundaries of privacy and legal obligations. The legislation also includes provisions for training, certification, and clarity on when disclosures are legally or ethically required.

“As I’ve said before,” said Assemblywoman Buttenschon, “Behind every badge is an individual who is carrying a weight that most of us will never fully understand. Often in silence, our officers face danger, heartbreak, and trauma day-in and day-out. A powerful legacy in Lieutenant Joseph Banish’s name, this legislation is about ensuring that silence never turns to suffering. By establishing confidential peer support programs, we are treating mental wellness with the same seriousness as physical safety, giving our officers a safe space to heal and the assurance that they are never alone. I humbly thank the Banish family for their courageous advocacy, and I am honored to help strengthen and uplift all those who protect us.”

This Act shall take effect March 18th, 2026.

Business & Consumer Support
(A.7929A) Protecting In-Cash Payments by Prohibiting Businesses’ Refusal of Cash Ch.548 of 2025

Purpose: The law is intended to establish equity in purchasing for those who are unbanked, lack financial stability, lack reliable access to credit cards or bank accounts, and seniors who may struggle with in-person mobile and online kiosk purchasing technologies.

Impact: Co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Buttenschon, the new law, now Chapter 584 of the Laws of 2025, prohibits all retailers and food stores operating a business in which physical/in-person transactions occur from refusing to accept payments in cash. This long-awaited and much needed consumer protection act additionally prevents the state’s businesses from levying additional fees or charges on cash payments, similar to those now seen with credit or debit card purchases. Key provisions of the new law include: Mandated acceptance of cash payments for in-person transactions at no additional cost; An exception for bills above $20, stores may refuse larger bills; An exemption for purchases or payments made by phone, mail, or internet transactions.

“This legislation is about fairness and accessibility for all New Yorkers. By prohibiting businesses from refusing cash payments, we are ensuring that businesses across our state remain accessible, and that everyone, regardless of financial circumstance, can access the goods and services they need in their daily lives.”

This Act shall take effect March 21st, 2026.

(A. 7464B) Modernizing Liquor Sales to Support Small Businesses Ch.613 of 2025

Purpose: Co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Buttenschon, the new law, now Chapter 613 of the Laws of 2025, expands purchasing options for on-premises retail liquor licensees, such as bars and restaurants, to include limited amounts of wine and liquor from an off-premises retail licensee such as a liquor store.

Impact: Previously, when bars and restaurants ran out of a particular wine and/or liquor, they were offered no flexibility to immediately replenish those bottle options in real-time outside of purchasing such products from their wholesaler and waiting sometimes days for delivery, causing patrons to miss-out on their preferred beverages and leading to lost business revenue. This legislation would grant leeway to the state’s bars and restaurants and enable them to quickly and easily replenish their inventory by allowing the purchase of small quantities of alcohol from a nearby liquor store or off-premises licensed location, without upending the traditional wholesaler-retailer relationship. Key provisions of the new law include: Authorizing the purchase of up to six bottles of wine or liquor in the aggregate per week for resale and consumption by on-premises retail licensees, bars and restaurants, from a liquor store or other licensed off-premises locations; Extends these provisions to licensed on-premises locations hosting or catering a private event; Requires both the purchasing and retail parties to retain receipts for such purchases, and make them available at the request of the state liquor authority.

“When consumer demand surges during peak seasons like the holidays or summer, businesses cannot afford inventory shortages,” said Buttenschon. By providing businesses with purchasing flexibility, we arm them with the immediate ability to respond to consumer demands that is essential to their success and to maintain customer satisfaction.”

This Act shall take effect March 5th, 2026.

Veterans
(A.8485) Increasing Awareness of Voluntary Opportunities for Veterans Ch.666 of 2025 & Ch.68 of 2026

Purpose: Upon returning from active duty service, many of our veterans seek to continue that service within their communities. However, oftentimes they may not know how to start the process of doing so. At the same time, many volunteer fire and emergency service departments across the state are facing critical member shortages and have been exploring new recruitment methods and awareness campaigns.

Impact: Co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Buttenschon, this legislation seeks to help alleviate both quandaries by requiring the State Department of Veterans’ Services to publish information and relevant application forms regarding volunteer opportunities with emergency service providers on their website employment portal, therefore increasing awareness of these continuing service opportunities amongst our veterans and expanding the pool of ready, available, and qualified volunteer candidates to the departments.

“Veterans returning home often look for ways to reconnect with and give back to the communities they served to protect,” said Buttenschon. “By raising awareness of volunteer opportunities within our emergency service departments, we can both connect our veterans with a community committed to protecting and uplifting the people they call neighbors and help to alleviate the staffing pressures faced by our departments.”

These Acts take full effect between March 5th and March 21st, 2026.