Asm. Dave McDonough

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state, county, school district, and other public employers (including community colleges and public benefit corporations) to provide employees with up to 8 hours of paid leave annually to volunteer as poll workers during elections. The leave is excused (not deducted from other leave) and must be granted for election-related duties. Employers must establish simple guidelines for requesting and approving the leave, but the bill explicitly states it won't override existing collective bargaining agreements or employee benefits. The policy directly affects public employees who wish to serve as poll workers without losing pay or accrued leave time.

Requires electrocardiograms be provided by school health services to screen for heart conditions; requires electrocardiograms be conducted on students to screen for heart conditions in order to attend school.

Prohibits electric, gas, telephone, cellular telephone, television, internet, energy, water services or any other utility providers from imposing additional fees related to administrative surcharges, fees for non-use or any other charges to customers living at their primary residence who are over sixty-five years of age or who have a developmental disability.

Maddy summaryBill A 7431 prohibits sex offenders from residing within 1,350 feet (a quarter mile) of schools, playgrounds, parks, or buildings providing child day care. It directly affects individuals classified as sex offenders under New York law, applying as long as they maintain that classification. The key provision establishes a fixed geographic restriction around these locations, replacing previous vague language with a specific distance limit. This policy change requires parole and probation officers to formally notify offenders of the restriction in writing and orally. The bill takes effect for sex offenders convicted or released on or after its effective date.

Directs the New York state energy resource and development authority, in collaboration with the New York state thruway authority, the department of transportation, and the New York power authority, to conduct a feasibility study on installing solar panels and other renewable energy systems along state highways and to submit a report relating thereto.

Prohibits the governor from preventing or inhibiting state agency cooperation with the federal government for the purposes of immigration enforcement; prohibits state agencies from preventing or inhibiting collaboration with federal agencies for the purposes of federal immigration enforcement.

Maddy summaryBill A 8357 allows Joshua Kaye to receive retroactive membership in the New York state and local police and fire retirement system. This bill addresses his situation where he did not join the system when first eligible on April 7, 2003, due to reasons not caused by his own negligence. If he files a written request within one year, he will be considered to have joined on that earlier date, granting him Tier II retirement status. The state of New York will cover the past service costs associated with this change.

Provides that the future siting and construction of battery energy storage systems and related facilities, systems, infrastructure, and substations of any scale and possessing any storage capacity, and including, but not limited to, those deploying lithium-ion batteries, are prohibited on Long Island, in the counties of Suffolk and Nassau.

Relates to the scheduling of a fact finding hearing after the issuance of a temporary order of protection in family court; provides that such hearing shall be scheduled no later than 14 days after the temporary order is issued.

Maddy summaryBill A 3631 allows New York schools to use state or local funds to purchase whole or reduced-fat New York milk (defined as milk produced, processed, and distributed within New York State) for student meals or sales. It requires the Education Commissioner to notify schools about the provision and mandates a report after two years tracking school participation, milk consumption changes, and state promotion efforts. The bill expires if federal school lunch rules change to permit whole/reduced-fat milk generally or if updated federal dietary guidelines allow it. This policy directly affects public schools in New York seeking to support local dairy producers through school meal programs.