New York Bills

passed · New York · Senate May 11, 2026

S 9848: Relates to the contents of claims

This bill modifies the rules for filing lawsuits in the Court of Claims by removing the strict requirement for detailed specificity in certain sexual offense cases. It directly affects individuals seeking legal relief for injuries caused by sexual crimes against children or adults, as well as the parties being sued. Under the new provisions, plaintiffs alleging harm from specific sexual offenses or incest no longer need to provide the same level of detailed initial information as required in other types of claims. The changes apply immediately to new lawsuits, pending cases, and some previously dismissed cases that are currently being appealed.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · New York · Senate May 11, 2026

S 9331: Relates to access to prescription medication and coordination with workers' compensation board regulations governing network pharmacy use

Codifies certain regulations of the workers' compensation board relating to access to prescription medication and coordination with workers' compensation board regulations governing network pharmacy use; requires the workers' compensation board to file a report on out-of-network pharmacy use within 3 years of the effective date.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed both · New York · Senate May 11, 2026

S 9098: Extends the urban deer management pilot program

This bill extends New York's existing urban deer management pilot program for an additional three years, continuing current operations through 2029. It modifies the expiration date in the 2023 law from "three years" to "six years" after enactment, allowing the program to run until January 2029. The extension directly affects urban communities participating in the pilot program, which manages deer populations through methods like controlled culling or fertility control. The bill makes no new policy changes but ensures the current management approach remains in place for a longer period.

passed · New York · Senate May 11, 2026

S 9206: Extends the authorization of residential property owners in high risk brush fire areas on Staten Island to cut and remove reeds

Extends, until December 31, 2027, the authorization of residential property owners in high risk brush fire areas on Staten Island to cut and remove reeds.

passed both · New York · Senate May 11, 2026

S 5183: Includes a statement on the envelopes of ballots for early mail voters, absentee voters and special presidential voters for signature affirmation

This bill requires specific affirmation statements to be printed on the reverse side of absentee and special presidential ballot envelopes in New York. Absentee voters must sign a statement confirming their citizenship, registration, inability to vote in person, and truthfulness of their application. Special presidential voters must sign a similar statement verifying their qualification, citizenship, age, and right to vote. The bill mandates that voters sign these affirmations to be valid, with false statements constituting a misdemeanor. It does not change voting eligibility or procedures, only the wording on ballot envelopes.

passed · New York · Senate May 11, 2026

S 381: Relates to certain notices and guidelines regarding mental health services and resources available to employees

Directs the commissioner of labor to create and distribute to employers written materials regarding mental health services and resources available to employees to be posted in the workplace; directs voluntary guidance for employers to put in place strategies and programs to support the mental health and wellness of their employees; provides that such guidance be in written and digital resources and in English or translated to an additional primary language or languages as applicable.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · New York · Senate May 11, 2026

S 703: Relates to aggravated cruelty to animals

S 703 amends New York's animal cruelty law by removing the requirement that injury must be "serious" to qualify as aggravated cruelty. This change means prosecutors no longer need to prove severe physical harm to charge someone with aggravated cruelty to animals. The bill defines "aggravated cruelty" as conduct intentionally causing extreme pain or carried out in a depraved or sadistic manner, applying to companion animals. The law directly affects individuals accused of animal cruelty, broadening the scope of what constitutes a punishable offense under this specific charge.

Liz Krueger (D) · 18 co-sponsors

passed · New York · Senate May 11, 2026

S 1676: Requires that nuisance wildlife control operators disclose to the client that euthanasia may be used to resolve a wildlife related problem

Requires that nuisance wildlife control operators disclose to the client, in writing, that euthanasia may be used to resolve a wildlife related problem.

passed · New York · Assembly May 11, 2026

A 4347: Relates to retiring cemetery indebtedness

Provides that any cemetery corporation is permitted to retire any certificates or other instruments of indebtedness related to its operations to the benefit of such cemetery's permanent maintenance fund upon notice to the certificate owners.

passed · New York · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4389: Ensures that color vision requirements for appointment of police officers are tailored to only eliminate individuals with extreme color vision deficiencies from eligibility

Ensures that color vision requirements for appointment of police officers are tailored to only eliminate individuals with extreme color vision deficiencies from eligibility; provides methods under which an individual can meet such requirements after failing to meet an initial color vision standard.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · New York · Senate May 11, 2026

S 265: Directing the state board of real property tax services to conduct a study on real property tax saturation

This bill directs New York's State Board of Real Property Tax Services to study how high levels of tax-exempt property (like parks, nonprofits, or government buildings) affect local communities. The study will examine the percentage of tax-exempt land in each county, its impact on housing, small businesses, jobs, population, and parkland in counties with the highest exemption rates over five years, and explore policy changes to reduce tax burdens on taxable properties. The board must report findings and recommendations to state leaders within one year. The bill expires after two years or when the report is delivered, whichever comes first.

passed · New York · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4691: Prohibits the sale and distribution of certain mercury-added lamps

Prohibits the sale and distribution of compact fluorescent mercury-added lamps and linear fluorescent mercury-added lamps on and after January 1, 2029; provides exceptions; allows for sale of otherwise prohibited lamps from existing stock acquired prior to such date.

Topics ✓ Environment

Bill results