It will be harder to operate using NYC based freelancers as of May 15, 2017 without paying in a timely fashion as a result of the new The Freelancers Aren’t Free Act which requires among other things when hiring an independent contractor:
A written agreement for services of $800 or more must be in writing. That $800 can be reached by including the amounts for contracts between the same parties in the immediately preceding 120 days.
Among other things the agreement must spell out the rate and method of payment.
You must pay the freelancer within 30 days of the date specified in the contract or, if no date is specified, within 30 days of completion of the work.
There are penalties for not making timely payment. You can't try to negotiate down the amount owed. You can't get the freelancer to waive any rights under The Act.
Freelancer can recover attorney fees which will incentivize lawyers to take cases.
The full law is here. Perhaps it will inspire other jurisdictions. It's too easy to stretch out payment to or not pay freelancers. Try it with your landlord, bank lender or internet service provider and see what happens.
