Asm. Jen Lunsford

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers with 20 or more full-time permanent employees to create a written workplace violence prevention program. The program must include specific measures to address risks like abusive conduct and bullying, such as conflict resolution training and clear reporting systems. Employers must provide annual training to all employees on identifying, reporting, and preventing workplace bullying and abusive conduct, including how to use safety procedures and access the prevention program. It directly affects covered employers across New York State and applies to all workplace settings where such risks exist. The law mandates these changes to reduce incidents of workplace violence and improve employee safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires political committees to clearly disclose the source of paid political communications, including social media posts. Specifically, all paid digital ads - such as social media content - must prominently display "Paid for by:" followed by the committee name, with no exemption for social media posts (unlike some smaller digital ads). It applies directly to campaigns and political committees purchasing digital advertisements for elections. The law mandates this disclosure for any paid communication reaching 500+ people via electronic means, ensuring transparency about who funds political messaging.

Relates to excluding renewable energy pilot projects and certain energy system-related payments in lieu of taxes from tax cap calculations, and to the establishment of a distributed generation energy development program that provides a single forum for state-level appeals for proposed distributed generation energy facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 21st each year as "Down Syndrome Awareness Day" in New York State. It adds this date to the state's official calendar of commemorative days, which already includes other observances like Holocaust Remembrance Day and Juneteenth. The bill does not create new policies or funding; it simply establishes a formal recognition day to raise awareness about Down syndrome. This designation affects all New York state entities and residents, encouraging official observances and educational efforts on that date.

Relates to benefits for police officers, correction officers, firefighters, and other emergency personnel diagnosed with PTSD by making their injury compensable if it cannot be shown, by a preponderance of evidence, that the PTSD was caused by factors unrelated to their occupation.

Establishes a correctional employee protective labor practices board to make recommendations regarding labor practices and working conditions for correctional employees, and institutional safety of both correctional employees and incarcerated individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals to sue the state directly for violations of specific federal civil rights laws, such as the ADA, Title IX, and the Civil Rights Act. It waives the state's sovereign immunity (meaning the state can be sued) for these violations and sets a minimum $4,000 damage award for each offense, covering both monetary losses and non-monetary harms like emotional distress. The law applies to state programs receiving federal funding and permits claims in any competent court, without limiting existing state law remedies. It directly affects people whose civil rights were allegedly violated by state actions under the covered federal laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 7540) redirects funds from the Consolidated Local Highway Assistance Program (CHIPS) specifically for bicycle paths, Greenway trails, and other paved multi-use trails not on the state highway system. It requires these trails to be within or connected to local highway right-of-way and meet defined specifications (e.g., minimum 6-foot width for Greenway trails). The policy directly affects local governments (counties, cities, towns, villages) that maintain non-state highways and trails, allowing them to use CHIPS funds for constructing or maintaining these non-motorized infrastructure projects. The bill updates existing highway law to explicitly include these trail types under CHIPS funding eligibility.

Establishes new targets for offshore wind electricity generation; includes the requirements that there is at least 15 gigawatts of offshore wind electricity generation by 2040, at least 18 gigawatts of offshore wind electricity generation by 2045 and at least 20 gigawatts of offshore wind electricity generation by 2050.

Provides that certain utilization review determinations shall be made consistent with medical and scientific evidence; includes services for mental health and substance use disorders as part of emergency services.