Asm. Sarahana Shrestha

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the direct shipment of liquor, cider, mead, and braggot across state lines into New York, expanding on existing rules that already allow wine to be shipped directly to consumers. To participate, out-of-state distilleries must obtain a specific license from the state authority, pay an annual fee, and agree to ship no more than thirty-six cases per year to residents who are at least twenty-one years old. The legislation requires strict safety measures, including age verification at delivery, clear labeling on shipping containers, and the maintenance of detailed records for tax and audit purposes. Additionally, the bill establishes that these sales are subject to New York state and local taxes, ensuring that revenue is collected at the point of delivery.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's workers' compensation law to increase short-term disability and family leave benefits for eligible employees. It defines specific conditions for family leave, such as caring for a sick relative or bonding with a new child, and clarifies who qualifies as a health care provider. The legislation mandates that employers maintain health insurance coverage during leave and requires reinstatement to the employee's original or a comparable job upon return. Additionally, it prohibits retaliatory actions against workers for taking approved leave and establishes a schedule for gradually increasing weekly benefit amounts and the maximum duration of leave over several years.

Relates to including outpatient care provided by creative arts therapists in certain insurance policies covering care for other mental health services.

Provides that certain purchase contracts to purchase food can be awarded to a qualified bidder who fulfills certain values based procurement standards when such bid is not more than 10% higher than the lowest responsible bidder and when the bidder makes publicly available data on where such bidder sources their food items; sets forth the criteria for values based procurement standards to include local economies, environmental sustainability, racial equity, valued workforce, animal welfare, and nutrition.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the State Commission of Correction from three to nine members to include a broader range of perspectives in overseeing the state's correctional system. The new commission will consist of appointees from the governor, the Assembly speaker, the Senate temporary president, and the correctional association, with specific requirements that at least one member be a formerly incarcerated individual, a public health professional, a behavioral health expert, or an attorney specializing in prisoner rights. To ensure stability and balance, members will serve staggered five-year terms with a limit of ten years total, and the appointing authority for each member will have the power to remove them for cause.

Prohibits utility corporations from imposing late fees, interest, or penalties during an investigation by the commission; allows retroactive late fees, interest, or penalties if a determination is made in favor of such utility corporation; prohibits utility services from being terminated during an investigation by the commission; requires utility corporations to notify customers of investigations; requires notice to the general public.

Requires the office of parks, recreation and historic preservation to establish design standards for greenway trails and to manage applications for greenway trails.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new regulatory framework for short-term residential rentals, requiring hosts to register their properties and maintain specific safety standards such as posted evacuation diagrams and fire extinguishers. It mandates that hosts keep detailed records of guest stays for two years and submit annual reports to the state, while also requiring booking platforms to share similar data to facilitate enforcement. The legislation creates a system where booking services must verify that a rental unit is properly registered before charging fees, and it allows municipalities with existing registries to continue managing their own systems for local compliance. Additionally, the bill clarifies that these rules apply to all short-term rentals in the state, with specific provisions for large cities to maintain their own registration processes.

Requires public notice and public engagement when a general hospital seeks to close entirely or a unit that provides maternity, mental health or substance use care.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Fashion Environmental Accountability Act, requires large fashion retailers to conduct standardized environmental due diligence on their supply chains and creates a remediation fund to address harms. It applies to businesses selling new clothing, shoes, or bags with over $100 million in annual revenue, excluding used clothing sellers and most multi-brand retailers. Companies must map their suppliers across four tiers, from raw material providers to finished goods manufacturers, and report on their efforts to prevent or mitigate environmental damage. The legislation mandates that these reports be independently verified and published using open data principles, while defining a "living wage" as a key standard for worker compensation.