Asm. Phil Steck

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits town, city, or county industrial development agencies from waiving taxes that would otherwise be paid to school districts. It directly affects school districts by ensuring they receive all taxes that would have been collected from properties or developments under these agencies' jurisdiction. The key provision requires agencies to collect all applicable taxes instead of entering into agreements that replace tax payments with alternative payments. This change ensures school districts maintain their regular revenue streams from local development activities.

Provides for automatic voter registration and pre-registration for persons applying for certain department of motor vehicles documentation, and for persons applying for or re-enrolling in Medicaid; allows individuals to decline such automatic registration and pre-registration.

Relates to the creation of a crime database of all convictions in New York state of animal cruelty, fighting, neglect, abandonment and mistreatment; makes such crime database available to all law enforcement entities, district attorneys, duly incorporated humane societies, societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals, dog or cat protective associations and animal control officers.

Maddy summaryThis New York bill strengthens civil rights enforcement by allowing individuals to sue when state actors deny their rights under state law. It requires courts to award reasonable attorney fees to winning plaintiffs (except in cases against judges acting in their judicial role) and directs courts to apply both state law and common law where remedies are lacking. The law supplements existing civil rights protections and references similar federal civil rights laws for interpretation.

Enacts the "elderly abuse protective act" to protect residents 62 years of age or older who suffer abuse or deprivation; requires reports to the commissioner of the office of children and family services of the possible necessity for protective services; specifies action by such commissioner upon receiving such report including evaluation, right of entry, and furnishing of protective services; specifies the authority of the office of children and family services with respect thereto and requires assistance of other agencies in the implementation thereof; provides for judicial and review action against caretakers who abuse elderly; creates statewide central register of elderly abuse; appropriates $600,000 to the office of children and family services.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal framework for mental health clubhouses in New York State, directly benefiting individuals with serious mental illness by providing free, community-based support services. It requires clubhouses to be accredited, offer voluntary membership, and provide integrated support for employment, housing, healthcare, and social engagement. The Office of Mental Health must develop a statewide implementation plan within one year and oversee biennial reporting from clubhouses on membership, employment outcomes, housing, and crisis responses. Clubhouses must operate as non-clinical therapeutic communities emphasizing work, mutual support, and connection to broader healthcare services.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how parking violation notices are handled in New York. It requires hearing examiners to provide written decisions explaining the legal basis for each ticket's outcome (guilty or not guilty) and gives drivers the option to request a hearing for each individual ticket. The bill also mandates that the state surcharge must be paid unless a hearing officer dismisses the ticket based on specific merits presented by the driver. These changes aim to increase transparency and fairness for drivers contesting parking violations.

Relates to school session days; adds general election day to the list of days when school will not be in session; allows a school district to elect to require staff attendance on a general election day or to schedule a professional development day.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new felony offense for harassing someone specifically because the harasser believes the person is a survivor of domestic violence or sexual assault. It directly affects survivors of these crimes by adding a targeted legal protection against harassment that exploits their trauma. The key provision makes it a class E felony (punishable by up to four years in prison) to commit "aggravated harassment" with the belief or perception that the victim is a survivor. The law would take effect November 1, 2025, if passed.

Enacts the "fair pay for home care act" relating to minimum wages applicable to home care aides; provides for a minimum wage of 150% of the applicable statewide or regional minimum wage.