Jenifer Rajkumar: Legislative Record

Domestic Workers' Rights Package (2021)

Rajkumar passed a legislative package granting domestic workers the full protections of the New York State Human Rights Law and expanding their paid family leave benefits. Governor Kathy Hochul signed the package into law in December 2021. The legislation extended protections to an estimated 200,000 immigrant women and women of color serving as domestic workers in the state .

Crime Victims Compensation Expansion (A7502, signed 2022)

This bill expanded eligibility for crime victim compensation to include victims of gross reckless endangerment who suffered trauma but were not physically injured. It extended coverage for mental health counseling, lost wages, healthcare costs, and crime scene cleanup expenses. The bill passed with bipartisan support and was signed by Governor Hochul in June 2022 .

Asian American and Pacific Islander Commission (A3301, signed 2023)

Rajkumar's bill created the first New York State Asian American and Pacific Islander Commission, establishing a body to address the needs of AAPI communities and bridge gaps in government services. Governor Hochul signed the legislation into law .

Rail Waste Tarping Requirement (A4928, signed October 2023)

This bill required waste transported by rail to be covered with hard tarping to prevent dangerous spillage and the emission of noxious gases. Governor Hochul signed it into law on October 2, 2023 .

Diwali School Holiday (A.7769/S7574, enacted 2023)

Rajkumar led the effort to designate Diwali as a public school holiday in New York City, shepherding the bill through the legislature after what advocates described as approximately 30 years of campaigning for the designation. The bill gave recognition to more than 600,000 Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and Jain New Yorkers in the largest public school system in the country .

SMOKEOUT Act (A8428A/S7998A, enacted 2024)

The Stop Marijuana Overproliferation and Keep Empty Operators of Unlicensed Transactions Act, which Rajkumar authored, granted municipalities across the state the authority to shut down unlicensed marijuana retail operations. The legislation addressed concerns about the proliferation of unregulated cannabis shops in communities statewide .

Property Access Modernization (A357B, signed January 2026)

This bill modernized New York State laws governing access to neighboring properties for improvement and repair purposes. Rajkumar's office stated the law would reduce red tape, accelerate construction, and help sidewalk sheds come down faster, while preserving neighboring property owners' rights .

Cybersecurity Technology Procurement (A2237, signed December 2025)

This bill prohibited the state and all municipalities from purchasing technology from certain international companies whose products were deemed to threaten national security. The legislation passed the Assembly unanimously .

Empire State of Mind Act (A2719, introduced February 2025)

A 20-page comprehensive mental health bill proposing the right to community mental healthcare for individuals with serious mental illness, mandatory mental health screenings for individuals entering correctional facilities, patient advocates in hospitals, and the creation of empath centers in every county as alternatives to crisis care. As of the last available information, the bill was in the Mental Health Committee and had no Senate companion .

9,000 Act

Legislation proposing intensive wraparound services for approximately 9,000 individuals with persistent criminal justice involvement, addressing economic, health, vocational, and housing needs as an alternative to incarceration .

E-Bike and E-Scooter Regulation

A legislative package proposing licensing, registration, and insurance requirements for e-bikes and e-scooters .

Ghostbuster Act

Legislation targeting unregistered vehicles, colloquially known as ghost cars .

Asylum Seeker Work Authorization

Legislation granting work authorization to asylum seekers in New York State, introduced alongside a coalition of more than 54 legislators calling on federal action .

Committee Assignments

Rajkumar was appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly as Chair of the Subcommittee on Diversity in Law. Her committee assignments during her tenure included Judiciary, Veterans' Affairs, Aging, Consumer Affairs and Protection, Small Business, and Health .

Legislative Style

Rajkumar developed a pattern of introducing legislation with memorable, media-friendly titles: The SMOKEOUT Act, the Empire State of Mind Act, the Ghostbuster Act, and the 9,000 Act. Critics and observers noted this approach as a deliberate strategy for generating public attention and press coverage for her policy initiatives .