New York Legislature Adjourns

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The New York Legislature has completed its work for 2019.

The state Senate adjourned just before 1 a.m. Friday and the Assembly followed it Friday morning.

One of the last bills to pass would replace criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana with fines. That measure advanced after legalization efforts stalled.

The six-month session was marked by liberal victories, including new laws codifying abortion rights, helping immigrants, addressing the causes of climate change and protecting tenants.

The accomplishments are the result of Democratic gains in last year's elections that gave the party control of both the state Assembly and Senate.

Bills passed this year include ones that extend the statute of limitations for child molestation, permit early voting, eliminate a religious vaccine exemption and ban the declawing of cats.