New York Bills

Requires landlords of non-owner occupied, one-six family dwellings in the city of New York to provide fire extinguishers in all rented apartments; authorizes the promulgation of standards related thereto.

Regulates certain bounty websites which offer meme currency in exchange for completing tasks are consistent with New York state law; defines "meme currency"; authorizes the attorney general to ensure bounty websites are compliant with the law.

Requires the filling of elective positions be done publicly and transparently in open meetings after giving notice to the public; prohibits the use of executive sessions to fill elective positions.

Requires the department of agriculture and markets to maintain a publicly available database of the results of its graded inspections on its website; requires the department to provide information as to where a customer may file a consumer report; requires the department to facilitate and coordinate the planning and implementation of an awareness and educational program to inform the general public on the standards retail food stores shall meet and how consumers may report retail food stores with poor sanitary conditions.

Prohibits local laws from requiring certain storefront security gates or grilles comply with certain conditions; extends the provisions concerning existing storefront security gates or grilles.

Directs the commissioner of taxation and finance to help entities to elect to participate in the federal tax credit for elementary and secondary scholarships known as the Educational Choice for Children Act of 2025.

Establishes a state library of pre-approved residential construction plans which are in compliance with the uniform code and certified by climate region.

This bill allows licensed Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine in New York to request special license plates for their vehicles. To qualify, the applicant must prove they are currently registered with the state education department and own the vehicle, and they must pay the standard registration fee plus an extra annual charge of $31.25. The distinctive plates will feature the letters "DO" and the word "physician" alongside the Staff of Asclepius symbol, matching the design of plates issued to Medical Doctors. The law would take effect 180 days after it is signed into legislation.

Enacts the "Social Worker Initiative for Faster Testing (SWIFT) act"; provides that with respect to the examination requirement for licensure as a master social worker, an applicant pursuing a master's of social work degree who is enrolled in the final semester of a program registered by the department of education or an educational program accredited or in candidacy for accreditation by the council on social work education shall be eligible to take the master's level examination.

Creates a state trooper highway memorial task force to develop and establish guidelines for recognition of members of the division of state police who have died in the line of duty; provides such recognition shall be by means of dedicating a portion of the state highway system, or the placement of a memorial plaque or marker along a state highway.

This bill requires employers to provide unpaid leave for employees whose children are hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit. The amount of leave depends on company size, with businesses having 16 to 50 employees offering up to 10 days and larger companies offering up to 20 days. Employees can take this time continuously or in smaller increments, and they will be reinstated to their original job with benefits maintained after the leave ends. The law also prohibits discrimination against workers for using this leave and allows employers to request basic verification of the child's hospital stay without asking for private medical details.

This bill creates a new crime for taking possession of ballots that eligible voters have already marked and submitted through legal means. It specifically makes it a class E felony for anyone to seize, confiscate, remove, or otherwise take control of these valid ballots. The law includes exceptions for election officials working with proper approval and law enforcement officers acting under a valid court order. By defining these actions as a felony, the legislation aims to protect the integrity of the voting process from unauthorized interference.