Asm. Harry Bronson

Relates to prevailing wage requirements applicable to brownfield remediation work performed under private contract as it relates to certain remediation activities, for sites that are seeking or have received a determination that the site is eligible for the tangible property credit component of the brownfield redevelopment tax credit, and the work is paid for in whole or in part by public funds.

Requires advertisements to disclose the use of a synthetic performer; imposes a $1,000 civil penalty for a first violation and a $5,000 penalty for any subsequent violation.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies when New York's state labor law applies to employer-employee disputes. It specifies that New York's labor relations act does not cover employees already protected under federal laws (like the National Labor Relations Act) or when federal labor boards have jurisdiction. For all other employees, the state labor board must promptly certify existing union representatives as the official bargaining agent and maintain current work terms during the certification process. This ensures continuity for employees and employers not covered by federal labor rules.

Enacts the "freedom to read act"; requires the commissioner of education and school library systems to develop policies to ensure that school libraries and library staff are empowered to curate and develop collections that provide students with access to the widest array of developmentally appropriate materials available.

Provides for the inclusion of a faculty or staff member on the board of trustees of community colleges elected by and from among the faculty and staff of the college.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New York courts to interpret the state's labor law "liberally" in favor of workers to achieve its protective goals, such as securing fair wages, preventing retaliation, ensuring equal pay, and protecting unemployment benefits. It specifically requires courts to apply labor law provisions broadly and interpret any exemptions or exceptions narrowly to maximize deterrence of employer violations. The law affects all workers and employers covered by New York's labor regulations by changing how courts evaluate disputes under existing labor statutes. This is a procedural directive for judicial interpretation, not a new law creating additional worker protections.

Establishes a fraud assessment commission; directs the chair of the workers' compensation board, in consultation with the workers' compensation fraud inspector general and the fraud assessment commission, to establish an assessment for workers' compensation fraud investigations to fund the investigation and prosecution of workers' compensation fraud, willful failure to secure payment of workers' compensation, and failure to keep true and accurate records; establishes the workers' compensation fraud investigation fund in the joint custody of the chair of the workers' compensation board, the commissioner of labor, and the comptroller, which shall consist of monies received from the imposition of the assessment for workers' compensation fraud investigations.

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.

Protects certain employees from a reduction of wages due to their involvement in the investigation of a violation of a workplace violence protection program.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits insurance companies from refusing to issue or renew homeowners' or renters' insurance policies, canceling policies, charging higher premiums, or limiting coverage solely because a policyholder owns a specific dog breed or mix of breeds. It directly affects homeowners and renters who might have faced discrimination based on their dog's breed. The key provision requires insurers to base coverage decisions on standard risk factors, not breed alone, for policies defined under New York's insurance law. The law applies to all policies issued or renewed after its effective date.