Requires police vehicles, fire vehicles, ambulances and emergency ambulance service vehicles to be equipped with appropriate communication devices to facilitate real-time communication with deaf individuals.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows courts to order fingerprint comparisons against statewide and national databases for defendants in criminal cases. It requires courts to determine first that the fingerprints meet federal or state standards, and second that a different outcome was likely if the comparison had been done earlier (e.g., a more favorable verdict or no conviction). The law directly affects defendants seeking to challenge prior convictions based on new fingerprint evidence. It creates a specific legal pathway for courts to review such evidence without changing how fingerprints are collected during investigations. The bill focuses on post-conviction relief, not new investigations.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows retired members of New York state retirement systems to change their designated beneficiary if that beneficiary has been convicted of a family offense (as defined in state law) and the retired member was the complainant in the case. Retired members have 180 days from the beneficiary's conviction date to submit a written request to the retirement system to make this change. Once received, the retirement system will update the beneficiary or recalculate benefits accordingly. The comptroller must notify retired members about this provision and can create rules to implement it, working with domestic violence and criminal justice agencies.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands New York's anti-discrimination law to explicitly protect religious attire and facial hair. It makes it illegal for businesses like restaurants, stores, or hotels to refuse service or deny accommodations based on a person's religious practice of wearing specific clothing or maintaining facial hair. The law now includes these elements under the protected category of "creed" in existing discrimination protections. This directly affects public businesses and individuals whose religious observances require such practices.
Requires comprehensive coverage for treatment of obesity, including coverage for prevention and wellness, nutrition counseling, intensive behavioral therapy, bariatric surgery, and FDA-approved anti-obesity medication.
Requires the notification of a crime victim or witness of the death of the accused if such person dies during pending judicial proceedings or during any period of incarceration, parole or post-release supervision, or when an order of protection exists.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1467) adds "to recover after a stillbirth" as a qualifying reason for paid family leave under New York's workers' compensation law. It directly affects employees who experience a stillbirth, allowing them to take paid leave for recovery. The key provision amends existing law to include stillbirth recovery alongside other covered reasons like bonding with a newborn or caring for a family member with a serious health condition. The change applies to all policies or contracts issued, renewed, or modified after the effective date. This is a specific policy update to expand access to paid leave for a defined health-related event.
Maddy summaryBill A 8194 proposes to prohibit law enforcement officers and peace officers from inquiring about the immigration status of individuals who are victims or witnesses to a criminal offense. This measure aims to encourage victims and witnesses to report crimes without fear of their immigration status being questioned. Officers would only be permitted to ask about immigration status if it is directly necessary for investigating the criminal offense itself. The bill amends the executive law to establish this new prohibition.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires life insurance applicants to provide medical history at application through a physician's statement or medical records. If insurers accept the application based on this disclosure, they cannot later cancel the policy or reject the application due to the disclosed medical conditions. It directly protects applicants with pre-existing health conditions who voluntarily share their medical history upfront. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.
Maddy summaryThis New York State bill (A 2582) creates a state-funded system to provide support services for unaccompanied minors (children under 18 with no lawful U.S. immigration status who entered without parents/guardians or were separated from them). It mandates free legal representation in immigration court, health services, counseling, school enrollment assistance, and trauma-informed care - delivered through an immigration services liaison. The bill requires multilingual informational materials and ensures services won't affect immigration status under federal law. It directly affects minors in New York's custody or care who face federal immigration proceedings.
