Asm. Steve Hawley

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 9571) increases family leave benefits under New York's workers' compensation law, directly affecting eligible employees taking leave for medical care, bonding with a newborn, or military family exigencies. It gradually raises weekly benefit percentages (from 50% to 67% of average weekly wage) and extends maximum leave duration (from 8 to 12 weeks) over time, with specific phased-in dates starting in 2018. Covered employers must provide these enhanced benefits while maintaining health insurance coverage during leave. The changes apply to employees meeting eligibility criteria under the law, with the Superintendent of Financial Services retaining limited authority to delay increases.

Requires proof of installation, maintenance and regular use of ignition interlock devices when use of such a device is ordered by a court; extends the period of suspension and revocation of a license until such proof is provided.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a full exemption from real property taxes, special district charges, and assessments for the primary residences of certain disabled veterans. To qualify, a veteran must have been discharged under honorable conditions, possess a qualifying disability or be a discharged LGBT veteran, and be rated as permanently and totally disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The exemption also applies to land used for housing units modified to accommodate the veteran's disability needs, provided the veteran meets all other statutory requirements. This change directly affects eligible veterans by removing their home's tax liability while leaving other existing veteran exemptions intact.

Requires each school district to ensure that every public school in which school days exceed five hours in duration provides up to thirty minutes of daily recess within the school day for all students in kindergarten through fifth grade and for students in sixth grade who attend an elementary school.

Establishes the New York advanced nuclear energy office; establishes an advanced nuclear energy development fund to provide grants to assist in nuclear energy production in the state; authorizes such energy development fund draw from the environmental bond act of 2022 available for green buildings projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the fee utilities pay to cover state department costs from 1% to one-third of one percent (0.333%) of their gross operating revenue. It applies to most public utilities and the Long Island Power Authority, but excludes entities regulated solely for safety or the power authority itself. Telephone companies pay the reduced rate only on revenue exceeding $500,000 annually. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows victims of certain misdemeanor offenses to make statements at sentencing. Specifically, it applies when a defendant pleads guilty to a misdemeanor related to a vehicle traffic offense that originally involved a felony charge resulting in serious physical injury to the victim. Victims must request this statement at least 10 days before sentencing, and the court must notify the defendant at least 7 days in advance. If the defendant doesn't receive timely notice, they may request a sentencing delay. The bill does not apply to all misdemeanors, only those tied to specific traffic-related felony charges with serious injury.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents local governments (cities, towns, or villages) from creating their own voting rules that expand eligibility beyond what state law allows. It specifically prohibits municipalities from granting voting rights to people who don't have the right to vote under state election law, through actions like changing local charters or passing local laws. The bill amends election law to ensure voting eligibility remains consistent with state standards and cannot be altered by local authorities. It takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 10124) changes New York's criminal law by removing hate crimes from the list of offenses that allow a young person to receive a "youthful offender" finding instead of a formal conviction. Specifically, it amends the criminal procedure law to explicitly exclude "hate crime" (as defined in Penal Law § 485.05) from the types of offenses eligible for youthful offender status. This means individuals convicted of hate crimes will no longer qualify for this status, resulting in a formal adult conviction record. The change directly affects young people (typically under 18) who commit hate crimes, requiring them to face adult sentencing procedures rather than the rehabilitative options available under youthful offender status. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Provides that when property, regardless of its nature and value, is taken from the person of another and the victim is 65 years of age or older or such property is obtained by extortion and the victim is 65 years of age or older, such crimes shall be grand larceny in the third degree and subject to a class D felony.