Relates to protecting the communication rights of individuals with disabilities; provides that each person with a disability has the right to communicate in their preferred manner.
Authorizes cities and towns, except a city with a population of one million or more, to establish community preservation funds; authorizes such cities and towns to impose a real estate transfer tax with revenues to be deposited in such funds; makes related provisions.
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.
Allows for certain disability benefits to continue in the event an individual who is receiving such benefits gets married; provides that the marriage to another individual which would otherwise make an individual ineligible for certain disability benefits shall not be considered if such individual is already receiving disability benefits at the time of becoming married and continues to meet certain criteria.
Requires all withdrawal transactions made through a service provided by a mobile sports wagering licensee to be irreversible by the withdrawing consumer, the licensee or another at the consumer's request.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits businesses from including contract terms that prevent consumers from making statements about goods, services, or the business itself. It makes any such waiver in consumer contracts void and unenforceable, and bans businesses from threatening or penalizing consumers for sharing protected statements. Violations carry civil penalties up to $2,500 for first offenses and $5,000 for repeat offenses, collectible by consumers, the attorney general, or local prosecutors. The bill directly affects businesses selling goods or services through contracts and protects consumers' right to share feedback without legal repercussions.
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 $6,000 property tax exemption for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or Defense. It applies directly to qualifying veterans (or surviving spouses of veterans who died from a service-connected disability) regardless of their property's assessed value. The exemption is added to existing tax breaks and takes effect for property tax assessments starting January 1 following the bill's enactment. It does not change other existing disability tax exemptions.
Establishes protections for adults sixty years of age or older, or at least the age of eighteen and who, because of mental or physical impairments, are unable to manage their own resources or protect themselves from financial exploitation without assistance from others.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows municipalities to offer a 5% real property tax exemption for primary residences owned by National Guard members or reservists. It defines "qualified owner" as active or retired military personnel and requires annual applications with military service verification. The exemption applies only to residential property used as a primary home (excluding non-residential portions) and cannot be combined with other military tax benefits. Municipalities must choose to adopt this option locally through their own ordinances.
