Asm. Jonathan Jacobson

Requires the use of a fire-resistant blanket, bag or container when charging a bicycle with electric assist or an electric scooter; requires sellers of such vehicles to include a fire-resistant blanket, bag, or container with the sale of each e-bike or e-scooter; establishes fines.

Authorizes the attorney general to approve certain state land acquisitions made for the purposes of land conservation, and to accept a title policy from a commercial insurer to cover any title defects that would otherwise render the title unmarketable.

Expands health care services provided by telehealth to include services delivered through a facility licensed under article twenty-eight of the public health law that is eligible to be designated or has received a designation as a federally qualified health center, including those facilities that are also licensed under article thirty-one or article thirty-two of the mental hygiene law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal right to counsel for eligible immigrants in New York during immigration proceedings. It applies to income-eligible non-citizens or those with significant New York ties (like residents or cases tied to NY courts) facing removal or detention under federal immigration law. The New York State Office for New Americans will administer the program, providing initial consultations and ongoing legal representation starting when a case begins (e.g., upon receiving a "Notice to Appear") and continuing until the case concludes. Legal services must be offered regardless of the proceeding's location, including federal immigration courts outside New York.

Relates to establishing the housing access voucher program; provides that the commissioner of the division of housing and community renewal shall implement a program of rental assistance in the form of housing vouchers for eligible individuals and families who are homeless or who face an imminent loss of housing; provides that the commissioner shall designate housing access voucher local administrators in the state to administer the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that batteries used in electric-assist bicycles and electric scooters must be tested and approved by specific accredited laboratories, such as Underwriters Laboratories or labs meeting international ISO/IEC standards. It mandates that these batteries display a certification seal from an approved lab, including those accredited under ISO/IEC 17025 or participating in the OSHA NRTL program. The law directly affects battery manufacturers and sellers of e-bikes and e-scooters, who must ensure compliance before selling or using these devices. The requirement takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 13-member Problem Gambling Advisory Council to advise New York's government on preventing and treating problem gambling. The council, appointed by legislative leaders and state agencies, must develop strategies for gambling prevention resources, consult with experts, increase public awareness, and recommend how to allocate gaming fees to fund these services. It will produce an annual report by October 1st each year, including findings on mobile sports betting impacts and self-exclusion trends. The council directly affects state agencies, gaming licensees, and community behavioral health providers by shaping resource allocation and policy recommendations.

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts funding for hospitals serving high numbers of low-income and uninsured patients (safety net hospitals). It allocates $139.4 million annually to major public hospitals and $969.9 million to other general hospitals, but applies annual reductions of $150 million (2020-2022) and $275.4 million (2023 onward) to the latter group - unless hospitals qualify as "enhanced safety net hospitals" under specific criteria. To qualify, hospitals must meet metrics like serving at least 45% Medicaid/uninsured patients, operating under financial hardship, or providing critical community services. Starting in 2026, the bill mandates an additional $228.4 million in funding for qualified safety net hospitals to support their operations and maintain services for vulnerable populations.

Requires every entity responsible for the broadcast rights of a sports team which is part of a national or international professional sports league to ensure that every publicly broadcast game played by such sports team which is played in a facility that is benefitting or has benefitted from state funds, tax subsidies, eminent domain, or another valuable benefit that was made at a cost to the state, shall be made available to view at no cost within the county such facility is situated in and its adjoining counties.

Requires entities receiving state funding for workforce development purposes to annually file a report with the department of labor describing the number of individuals contacted, trained and hired by such entities and the status of such individuals at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after hiring.