I noticed that too, so i dug up a letter i got at the recent boat show from the Coast Guard Aux.:
Here is the wording of the new law:
No Owner or operator of a pleasure vessel less than 21 feet, including rowboats, canoes, and kayaks shall permit its operation, between November first and May first, unless each person on board such vessel is wearing a securely fastened US Coast Guard approved wearable personal floatation device of an appropriate size when such vessel is underway.
Failure to wear a life jacket on such vessels will be considered a violation under section 73-c of the Navigation Law and is punishable by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $100, applicable to either the operator and/or the owner of the vessel.