Sen. Brandon Elefante

Allows newly graduated high school students to be eligible for workers' compensation coverage during the summer following their high school graduation while participating in Department of Education-sponsored work-based learning programs.

Requires and appropriates funds to pay salary differentials to English language educators as an incentive to attract and retain these educators. Appropriates funds.

Requires the Department of Education to assign school resource officers or guards to serve at public elementary schools and state prekindergarten programs. Requires report to the Legislature. Requires the Department of Education to seek funding from federal grants. Appropriates funds.

Maddy summarySB 860 increases penalties for shoplifting offenses. It directly affects individuals convicted of stealing merchandise from retail stores. The bill's key provision raises the severity of punishment for shoplifting, though specific penalty levels (like fines or jail time) aren't detailed in the abstract. This change aims to strengthen legal consequences for retail theft.

Prohibits the sale of flavored nicotine products and the mislabeling of e-liquids as nicotine free. Establishes penalties for violations. Authorizes the Department of Health to appoint, commission, or contract for services of inspectors. Establishes two full-time equivalent program specialist positions and one full-time equivalent hearing officer position. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2026.

Allows the Department of Land and Natural Resources to contract or form a partnership with private parties to assist with the maintenance and management of sunscreen dispensers at all state beaches, as well as publicize that the mineral-based sunscreen in these dispensers is more protective of the coral reefs of the State. Appropriates funds for the installation, maintenance, management, and operation of non-chemical sunscreen dispensers on all state beaches.

Amends the definition of electric bicycles subject to various state laws and classifies electric bicycles by top assisted speed. Establishes additional regulations for the registration and use of electric bicycles. Increases the minimum age to operate an electric bicycle.

Maddy summarySB 478 requires operators of low-speed electric bicycles to hold a valid driver's license, instruction permit, or provisional license. This bill directly affects individuals who ride such e-bikes on public roads or paths. The key provision mandates a standard driver's license requirement for these vehicles, aligning their operation with traditional motor vehicle regulations. The bill is currently in early stages, having been introduced and passed first reading on January 17, 2025.

Requires health care providers to provide patients with copies of billing records within ten working days of a request from the patient and provide written notice to patients if there is a credit on the patient's account. Clarifies that health care providers must respond to medical record requests from patients in a timely manner pursuant to federal regulations, with exceptions. Establishes penalties for violations.

Authorizes a county with a pre-existing surcharge to continue the surcharge after December 31, 2030, at a lower rate of one-fourth per cent. Authorizes counties that have not adopted a surcharge ordinance on state tax to adopt a surcharge ordinance at the current rate of one-half of one per cent through December 31, 2030, and at a rate of one-fourth of one per cent after December 31, 2030. Expands the authorized use of surcharge revenues to more than capital costs of a locally preferred alternative for a mass transit project for counties with a population greater than five hundred thousand.