Asm. Keith Brown

Maddy summaryThis bill raises the maximum dollar amount for small claims court cases from five thousand to fifteen thousand dollars. It directly affects individuals and businesses filing money disputes in New York City, Civil, and District courts, allowing them to resolve larger financial disagreements in a simplified legal setting. The change applies to cases where the defendant lives or works in the relevant county or city, as well as disputes over arbitration awards involving similar amounts. The law is scheduled to take effect on the first day of September following its enactment.

Allows victim impact statements in New York state be video recorded; requires that the members of the parole board and all presiding commissioners for such hearing review all relevant victim impact statements prior to the conduct of a parole hearing and to sign a written attestation confirming that they have done so.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new task force within the Department of Labor to help state agencies hire and keep people with disabilities in competitive jobs. The group will consist of 16 members appointed by the governor, including representatives from various state departments, labor unions, businesses, and individuals with disabilities. Their main job is to study unemployment issues, review existing programs, and develop strategies to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The task force must meet at least four times a year and submit a report with recommendations to state leaders within two years of starting.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires courts to immediately report extreme risk protection orders to a statewide computerized registry, law enforcement agencies, licensing officers, and other relevant state divisions. The law mandates that these reports, including temporary and final orders as well as any amendments or revocations, be submitted electronically within one business day of issuance. Courts must also provide specific demographic data alongside the orders to help track and enforce these restrictions. Additionally, the bill directs state officials to create a comprehensive plan for maintaining this registry, which will include past orders once the law takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state, county, and local transportation projects to prioritize safe access for all road users, including drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit riders. It mandates that agencies using complete street design principles consider these needs during the planning, design, and construction of new or rebuilt roads, while also applying these standards to maintenance projects lasting at least ten years. Additionally, the legislation updates the criteria for determining when a road project is unnecessary, adding community support as a key factor alongside traffic volume and land use. The law will not apply to projects approved before it becomes effective and will take effect approximately 260 days after passage.

Extends the time period for tenancy rights from 30 days to 45 days of possession; adds squatting to the definition of criminal trespass in the third degree.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public water systems serving specific residential areas to identify lead service lines within their networks. It defines a "covered water system" as one serving at least fifteen service connections or twenty-five year-round residents, and it mandates that these systems conduct free inspections to determine if lead pipes are present. To facilitate these inspections, the law allows water systems to seek consent from property owners and, if owners do not respond within thirty days, to accept consent from adult occupants like tenants. If access is still denied, the water system may take legal steps authorized by local codes to secure entry, while ensuring that non-owner occupants are not held liable for consenting to the inspection.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for how government meetings can be held online, primarily affecting public bodies like city councils and county boards. It requires these groups to create clear written plans for remote participation, ensuring that elected officials generally attend in person while allowing appointed members to join remotely if needed. The legislation also mandates that all online meetings be recorded with closed captions, made available on official websites, and advertised with specific details about how the public can view or join them. Additionally, the bill clarifies that during declared emergencies, officials may relax the requirement for members to be physically present if holding an in-person meeting is not feasible.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a real property tax exemption for the primary homes of widows and widowers whose spouses were police officers killed in the line of duty. To qualify, the surviving spouse must own the property, and the local government where the home is located must first approve the exemption after holding a public hearing. The law also clarifies how the exemption applies to properties held in trust or within cooperative apartment buildings, while excluding certain types of housing finance arrangements. Additionally, the bill requires state officials to create a list of documents that prove eligibility, which will be shared with local tax assessors.

Requires the office of special investigation to conclude investigations into alleged criminal offenses committed by police officers resulting in a death and issue a report within sixty days.