Asm. Demond Meeks

Maddy summaryThis bill, the New York Emergency Responder Act (A 4680), limits liability for certain emergency responders during declared emergencies. It protects individuals, corporations, and their employees who provide emergency assistance - such as medical aid, structural engineering, or supplies - voluntarily at a public official's request or under contract, as long as the assistance relates to a declared disaster or emergency. Responders are shielded from civil damages for injuries caused by their actions unless the harm resulted from gross negligence, reckless conduct, or intentional misconduct. The protection applies for 60 days after the emergency ends or 30 days after the entity confirms the assistance is complete.

Relates to decreasing the length of the suspension period applicable to certain individuals who lose their jobs due to a labor dispute, such as a strike, and who seek to obtain unemployment insurance benefits; decreases the suspension period from two consecutive weeks to one week; provides that the waiting period and suspension period shall be served concurrently.

Establishes the "earned time act" providing for time allowances against the term or maximum term of sentences imposed by the court to be credited on an annual pro rata basis.

Establishes a temporary state commission to conduct a feasibility study to evaluate and make recommendations concerning the formation and control of a state public bank; provides if such study finds that the state bank is feasible, the commission may recommend legislation to create a state public bank for New York.

Relates to creating the health emergency response data system, which collects information and statistical data relating to public health emergencies in order to assist the department of health, other government entities, health care providers, and the public in understanding and responding to public health emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires local social services districts to set shelter allowances at up to 100% of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) fair market rent (FMR) for a recipient's unit size in their district. It directly affects low-income housing recipients who receive shelter assistance through local social services districts. The key provision mandates that allowances cover the recipient's actual rent obligation, capped at HUD's current FMR for their specific area and unit size. This change ensures assistance aligns with local rental market rates rather than fixed or lower rates. The bill takes effect 30 days after enactment.

Prohibits the search, with or without a warrant, of geolocation and keyword data of a group of people who are under no individual suspicion of having committed a crime, but rather are defined by having been at a given location at a given time or searched particular words, phrases, character strings, or websites.

Establishes the civil right to counsel in eviction proceedings in New York state; creates the New York state office of civil representation; requires that covered individuals be given notice of such right to counsel.

Relates to the creation of a department of corrections and community supervision identification form; relates to the use of such form as proof of identity for individuals applying for a non-driver identification card or certain driver's licenses.

Establishes the first responder epinephrine preparedness initiative (EPI) act, creating a first responder epinephrine access program; authorizes the commissioner of health to approve and implement a municipal epinephrine bulk purchase program; authorizes taxpayers to contribute a gift for municipal epinephrine bulk purchases; establishes a municipal epinephrine bulk purchase fund.