Asm. Jen Lunsford

Provides that for taxable years beginning on and after January first, two thousand twenty-six, a resident taxpayer who serves as an active volunteer firefighter or as a volunteer ambulance worker shall be allowed a credit against the tax imposed equal to eight hundred dollars; provides for a real property tax exemption under certain circumstances to an enrolled member of an incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department or incorporated voluntary ambulance service residing in such city, village, town, school district, special district, fire district or county.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public employees in New York (including state, county, school district, and retirement system workers) to use accrued sick, vacation, or personal time during waiting periods for workers' compensation benefits or when their claim is disputed. Employers cannot force employees to use this time during such periods, and if an employee later qualifies for benefits, they get their used time fully restored. The law does not apply to employees covered by collective bargaining agreements unless their union specifically opts in to these provisions. It preserves existing collective bargaining rights while ensuring employees don't lose accrued time during workers' comp processing delays.

Provides that a caregiver shall be eligible for assistance for child care under the child care block grant regardless of the hours the parent actually works.

Requires the forfeiture of benefits to be paid pursuant to a service awards program to volunteer firefighters who have been convicted of felonies committed against a volunteer fire department, volunteer fire company, fire district, or fire protection district.

Relates to preventing minors from participating in sports wagering and creating accounts on mobile sports wagering platforms; requires platforms to employ commercially reasonable and technically feasible age assurance methods.

Enacts the "deed protection act" in relation to prohibiting a mortgage banker or mortgage loan servicer from commencing, maintaining, or proceeding with a foreclosure action on a mortgage loan where such mortgage banker or mortgage loan servicer knows or has reason to know that the mortgage securing such loan is dependent on a deed, conveyance, or other instrument affecting title to residential real property that was procured by fraud, forgery, or other unlawful means.

Requires mandatory background checks for persons employed by or volunteering at any business corporation, not-for-profit corporation, limited liability company, or limited partnership that regularly provides instructional, recreational or extracurricular services to minors, including but not limited to dance studios, gymnastic schools, martial arts academies, sports training facilities, music schools and performing arts schools, tutoring and academic enrichment centers; provides for enforcement and penalties; prohibits certain people from owning such businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 9209) requires manufacturers shipping electric-assist bicycles and electric scooters in New York State to permanently install specific lighting before selling them. It mandates front white lights visible 500 feet ahead and rear red or amber lights visible 300 feet behind (with 200-foot side visibility) for e-bikes, and similar rear lights for e-scooters. The law directly affects manufacturers selling these vehicles in New York, not end-users or riders. It takes effect 90 days after becoming law, setting clear safety standards for lighting equipment on these products.

Directs the department of social services to establish an outdoor, nature-based child care pilot project to explore establishing licensing guidelines for the operation of outdoor, nature-based child care programs in an outdoor space and that employ a nature-based early learning curriculum to teach enrolled children.

Permits telemedicine services for mental and behavioral health issues under the workers' compensation system; permits one in-person visit within twelve months unless such in-person visit causes undue hardship on a patient.