Rep. Demond Meeks

Establishes the 2-1-1 essential community services hotline system; designates the office of children and family services to oversee the hotline system; establishes the availability and scope of information to be provided by the hotline system and requirements of call centers; requires the office of children and family services to collect certain data relating to the hotline system and to make annual reports to the governor and the legislature.

Enacts the "just energy transition act"; requires a study of competitive options to facilitate the phase-out, replacement and redevelopment of New York state's oldest and most-polluting fossil fueled generation facilities and their sites by the year 2030.

Establishes the 2-1-1 essential community services hotline system; designates the office of children and family services to oversee the hotline system; establishes the availability and scope of information to be provided by the hotline system and requirements of call centers; requires the office of children and family services to collect certain data relating to the hotline system and to make annual reports to the governor and the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the validity period of child care provider licenses from four years to six years, affecting licensed day care centers and group family day care programs. The change applies to both initial and renewal licenses, provided providers maintain substantial compliance with applicable laws and regulations throughout the license period. The bill also updates registration validity periods to match the new six-year timeframe. This policy adjustment aims to reduce administrative burdens on child care providers while maintaining oversight requirements.

Establishes the New York dignity in pregnancy and childbirth act; requires hospitals and other facilities that provide perinatal care to implement an evidence-based implicit bias program for all health care providers involved in the perinatal care of patients within those facilities; requires the department of health to publish reports on maternal morbidity and pregnancy related deaths.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 6341) requires New York state agencies, boards, departments, and commissions to collect more detailed demographic data about Black/African American communities, moving beyond the current single "Black/African American" category. It mandates collecting specific ethnic group data (e.g., Nigerian, Haitian, Jamaican) and making this information publicly accessible to better reflect the diversity within this population. The goal is to help regional governments and officials design targeted programs addressing unique social, educational, health, and economic needs. The bill aligns with updated federal standards (effective 2029) that require disaggregating the "Black or African American" category into more specific ethnic groups.

Requires the court to consider a child's health and safety when making a decision regarding child custody and visitation; directs the court to review certain information as it relates to allegations of child abuse, domestic violence and child safety.

Provides WiFi service and internet access to all individuals residing in temporary housing; relates to funding for internet service under the ConnectAll digital equity grant program.

Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes New York's court system by creating three new judicial districts within the fourth department, splitting the existing fifth, seventh, and eighth districts. Specifically, it establishes the fourteenth district for Onondaga County, the fifteenth for Monroe County, and the sixteenth for Erie County. The legislation also adjusts the number of Supreme Court justices assigned to each district to reflect these new boundaries while protecting the rights and compensation of current court employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill ceremonially designates a specific highway route across multiple New York counties as the "Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway" for historical recognition. It defines the exact segments - spanning from Auburn through Geneva, Buffalo, and Niagara Falls - using existing state and county routes. The bill requires signage bearing the byway name but clarifies this is purely ceremonial, with no change to the roads' official names or impact on transportation operations.