Asm. Mary Beth Walsh

Provides for the viewing of photo or video footage captured by a camera installed inside a school bus, by a parent or guardian of a pupil, when such parent, guardian or pupil reports any incident of physical harm, harassment, intimidation or bullying occurring against the pupil while such pupil travelled on such school bus.

Requires a call-blocking service to be provided in state contracts that include procurement of a voice service; provides that a voice service provider shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability for failure of a call-blocking service to block a call, or mistakenly blocking a call that should not have been blocked.

Maddy summaryThis bill places a permanent ban on state laws that require local governments (such as counties, cities, school districts, and towns) to implement new programs or services without providing funding, if the cost exceeds $10,000 annually for a single local government or $1 million statewide. It defines "unfunded mandates" to include new requirements that raise costs for local governments beyond these thresholds, regardless of whether the mandate is for new services, higher service levels, or property tax exemptions. The ban includes exceptions for court orders, federal mandates, or situations involving immediate public safety threats. The law takes effect immediately for new legislation, though it does not affect existing mandates.

Authorizes the state to allow counties to opt out of the county cost of medical assistance payments to any new enrollees who have either never received such benefits or who have reenrolled after a period of absence; directs the commissioner of health to apply for any and all federal waivers required to implement the provisions of this subdivision.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new class A-1 felony offense for selling controlled substances (from Schedules I-V) that directly causes someone's death. It specifically applies to individuals who violate public health law by selling, giving, or supplying these drugs, resulting in a fatality. The key provision defines this as the most serious felony charge, replacing or adding to existing penalties for drug-related deaths. The law takes effect 30 days after enactment, with necessary rule changes allowed before that date. It does not affect other drug offenses or non-fatal cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New York school districts to create policies enabling home-schooled students to try out for and join district interscholastic sports teams. It requires these students to meet the same academic, health, and behavioral standards as enrolled public school students, including annual academic verification and age/eligibility rules. Home-schooled students would only be eligible to participate with their district of residence and must arrange their own transportation. The policy is optional for school districts and does not mandate participation.

Allows current, active and retired military service members and reserve units of the state to qualify for distinctive license plates; allows the spouse to also qualify for such distinctive plates.

Maddy summaryThis bill would classify kratom (mitragyna speciosa korth) as a Schedule I controlled substance under New York State law, making its possession, sale, and use illegal without a specific license. Schedule I substances are defined as having no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, placing kratom in the same category as drugs like heroin or LSD. The bill amends the public health law to add kratom to Schedule I, requiring state agencies to implement necessary rules within 90 days of the law's effective date. This change would directly affect individuals using kratom for personal purposes, businesses selling kratom products, and law enforcement handling related cases.

Maddy summaryBill A 6327 authorizes an exception to existing prohibitions on fossil fuel use in new buildings. It specifies that the fossil fuel ban will not apply to new buildings if their site plan or subdivision plat was approved by a local planning board before December 31, 2025. This allows certain building projects that have already received local planning approval to continue without being subject to the new energy law provisions.

Establishes a child care program capital improvement tax credit program for child care programs to provide financial assistance to New York's child care providers to facilitate the enhancement, expansion, and improvement of access to quality child care.