Banned
Counties and cities in New York will have the option to charge a fee on each paper bag.
Reusable bag means a bag: (a) made of cloth or other machine washable fabric that has handles; or (b) a durable bag with handles that is specifically designed and manufactured for multiple reuse.
It applies to any store that is required to collect sales tax, including groceries, retailers and small businesses. except restaurants (take-out or delivery), assuming those bags comply with the sanitary code.
Update: Enforcement of legislation is delayed due to COVID-19
NOTE: If a local municipality or city has an ordinance already adopted, they must still comply with the bag type/use requirements in State of NY ordinance. However, they can keep their fee structure if they adopted one. If they did not have a fee or if they’ve never had a law, it now becomes their discretion whether to adopt the new paper bag reduction fee. ADVISE: a retailer should seek council. The State of NY would not confirm this interpretation of their law.
The New York Bag law temporary hold was set to expire on 5/15. It has now been extended to 6/15.
