Asm. Charles Lavine

Maddy summaryThis bill protects libraries in New York by banning specific restrictive clauses in contracts between publishers and libraries regarding electronic books and audiobooks. It ensures that libraries can freely lend digital materials to patrons, set their own loan periods, and use technology to secure these loans without interference from publishers. Additionally, the law prevents publishers from charging libraries higher prices than the general public and stops them from limiting how many times a library can loan a specific item. Contracts containing these prohibited restrictions are declared unenforceable, and publishers who violate the bill face potential fines and legal injunctions.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the direct shipment of liquor, cider, mead, and braggot across state lines into New York, expanding on existing rules that already allow wine to be shipped directly to consumers. To participate, out-of-state distilleries must obtain a specific license from the state authority, pay an annual fee, and agree to ship no more than thirty-six cases per year to residents who are at least twenty-one years old. The legislation requires strict safety measures, including age verification at delivery, clear labeling on shipping containers, and the maintenance of detailed records for tax and audit purposes. Additionally, the bill establishes that these sales are subject to New York state and local taxes, ensuring that revenue is collected at the point of delivery.

Increases the number of judges in family court to 67; adds twelve additional judges to the civil court of the city of New York; adds additional family court judges to Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Erie, Jefferson, Nassau, Rensselaer, Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester counties.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows local governments to offer a full real property tax exemption for the primary homes of veterans with a 100 percent service-connected disability. To qualify, the veteran must have been honorably discharged, be rated as permanently and totally disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and be considered individually unemployable. The exemption also extends to LGBT veterans who meet the same disability and discharge criteria. If passed, the law would apply to property tax assessments starting on or after January 2, 2024.

Requires more specific data reporting by the chief administrator to include information relating to all courts in the unified court system, including town and village courts.

Requires social media companies to post terms of service for each social media platform owned or operated by the company in a manner reasonably designed to inform all users of the social media platform of the existence and contents of the terms of service; requires social media companies to submit to the attorney general certain terms of service reports; provides remedies for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state-operated hospitals, university health facilities, and cancer institutes from suing patients to collect medical debt. It defines medical debt as any amount owed for health care services, products, devices, or ambulance care provided by licensed providers. The law applies specifically to these public institutions and bars them from filing civil or supreme court lawsuits against individuals for such debts. The provision takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Fashion Environmental Accountability Act, requires large fashion retailers to conduct standardized environmental due diligence on their supply chains and creates a remediation fund to address harms. It applies to businesses selling new clothing, shoes, or bags with over $100 million in annual revenue, excluding used clothing sellers and most multi-brand retailers. Companies must map their suppliers across four tiers, from raw material providers to finished goods manufacturers, and report on their efforts to prevent or mitigate environmental damage. The legislation mandates that these reports be independently verified and published using open data principles, while defining a "living wage" as a key standard for worker compensation.

Relates to rechargeable battery recycling; adds a battery used as the principal electric power source for an electric scooter or bicycle with electric assist to the definition of "rechargeable battery"; provides that a battery manufacturer may not sell, offer for sale, or distribute rechargeable batteries in the state unless the battery manufacturer is implementing or participating under an approved plan; allows a city with a population of one million or more to enforce through its own agencies.

Enacts the "packaging reduction and recycling infrastructure act" to require companies selling, offering for sale, or distributing packaging materials and products to register with a packaging reduction organization to develop a packaging reduction and recycling plan.