Asm. Phil Steck

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New York's animal cruelty laws by clarifying key definitions (like "cruelty," "companion animal," and "farm animal") and repealing outdated sections of the Agriculture and Markets Law. It adds a new requirement that courts can order owners to post security for animal care costs when an animal is seized for cruelty charges. The law directly affects animal cruelty enforcement (including police, humane societies, and shelters), animal owners (especially regarding ear clipping), and courts handling animal-related cases. Key changes include strengthening officer authority to intervene in cruelty cases and specifying how costs for seized animals should be covered.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how New York citizens can appeal denials of public records requests under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). It directs all FOIL appeals to be heard by the Committee on Open Government instead of agency heads, requiring the Committee to respond in writing within 10 business days. The bill also mandates that agencies immediately forward all appeal requests to the Committee and clarifies that failure to follow these steps counts as a denial. This directly affects anyone denied access to public records by a state agency, streamlining their path to resolution.

Enacts the "voting integrity and verification act of New York (VIVA NY)"; provides that each voter is entitled to the use of an individual, voter verifiable paper ballot of the voter's vote and the opportunity to mark it.

Enacts the "ensuring access to behavioral health act"; includes mental health services, substance use disorder treatment services and recovery support services to network adequacy requirements for insurance coverage.

Maddy summaryBill A 8461 requires private sector employers, such as corporations and businesses, to include an epinephrine auto-injector device in their first aid kits if they are already federally mandated to have first aid supplies. This measure ensures that these devices, used to treat severe allergic reactions, are readily available in workplaces for employees. The bill specifically excludes governmental agencies from this requirement. It is set to take effect 180 days after becoming law.

Requires police and peace officers receive a lawful order before assisting with immigration enforcement; requires federal agents identify themselves at the request of public officers, police officers or peace officers; establishes penalties for federal agents who fail to identify themselves.

Relates to the former crime of loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense; expunges criminal records for persons previously convicted of such crime; directs the chief administrator of the courts to provide information regarding such expungement; adds language to identify that the crime of loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense is no longer in law.

Prohibits the placement of liquor and/or wine for sale within five feet of nonalcoholic beverages for retail licensees who sell such liquor and/or wine for consumption off premises.

Maddy summaryThis bill automatically grants Medicaid eligibility to workers participating in strikes or labor disputes, directly affecting those who would otherwise lose coverage during such work stoppages. It requires Medicaid coverage to be limited to the duration of the strike, with no requirement to count personal resources toward medical costs. The health commissioner must establish regulations for eligibility, covered services, and a process for temporary "presumptive eligibility" based on preliminary information from qualified entities. The policy change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Relates to providing more predictable and stable schedules for employees in low-wage occupations; provides that an employer shall pay an employee for at least 4 hours at the basic minimum hourly wage for each day an employee reports for work as instructed but is given less than four hours of work.