Asm. Angelo Morinello

Maddy summaryBill A 5757 grants disabled veterans seven free days of sporting activity in New York State. These veterans, regardless of residency, would be exempt from fees normally required for licenses or permits under the environmental conservation law. The commissioner of environmental conservation is responsible for defining what constitutes a disability for this program and for adopting necessary rules and regulations for its implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $10,000 tax deduction for adoptive parents who legally adopt a child with special needs. It directly affects taxpayers who become the legal parents of a child under 21 with a significant physical, mental, or emotional condition that, per the Office of Children and Family Services, creates a major obstacle to adoption. The deduction can be applied each year the taxpayer maintains legal parenthood of the child. The policy change applies to taxable years starting January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New York to create a special license plate displaying "Fire Police" for eligible individuals. It allows current fire police members or their spouses to request this plate upon application, providing proof of membership. The plate would be issued like a standard plate, requiring payment of the regular registration fee plus a one-time $10 service charge. The state must ensure the fees collected cover the costs of designing and manufacturing these plates before issuing them.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates seat belt use for all passengers and requires drivers of commercial vehicles (including charter buses and taxis/liveries carrying more than eight people) to conduct pre-trip safety briefings and maintain safety belt functionality. It directly affects commercial vehicle operators and passengers aged 8+ in these vehicles, with exemptions for school buses and specific vehicle types. Key provisions include civil fines up to $50 for non-compliance, regular safety belt inspections, and requirements for educational materials on seat belt use. The law aims to implement safety measures recommended by the NTSB following a 2023 collision, focusing on reducing passenger injuries in commercial transport.

Maddy summaryMelinda's Law protects non-abusive parents who report domestic violence from losing custody of their children. It requires courts to consider whether a parent reported abuse before removing children, treating them as "not at fault" if they reported it and are not neglectful. The law prevents abusers from threatening to have children taken away as leverage to control the non-abusive parent. It applies to cases where domestic violence - defined to include emotional, psychological, or physical abuse - has occurred, with specific court procedures to verify reports. This directly affects parents in domestic violence situations seeking to report abuse without fear of child removal.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 307) requires New York State to pass specific enabling legislation before entering any agreement with another state or foreign government that affects New York residents. It mandates that all compacts, programs, or legal agreements imposing regulatory requirements on residents must first be approved through a separate legislative act. Any agreement entered without this enabling law would be invalid ("null and void"). The bill directly affects state agencies and officials responsible for negotiating interstate agreements, ensuring legislative oversight before such commitments take effect.

Maddy summaryBill A 5876, known as "Barreto's law," establishes the new crime of vehicular manslaughter in the third degree. This bill directly affects individuals who cause the death of another person while operating a vehicle. A person can be charged with this crime if the death occurs while they are engaged in reckless driving or committing aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree. This new offense is classified as a class E felony.

Authorizes the legislative commission on the development of rural resources to study the effectiveness of pond and lake management programs; provides for the comprehensive control and mitigation of harmful algal blooms in both marine and fresh water; provides for emergency response to water contaminations by algal bloom or hypoxia.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases New York State's earned income tax credit (EITC) for tax returns filed in 2025 and later, raising the credit percentage from 30% to 45% of the federal EITC amount. It directly affects low-to-moderate income workers and families who qualify for the state EITC, primarily those with children or who meet income thresholds. The bill adds new payment options: small credits ($200 or less) are paid as a lump sum, medium credits ($200-$2,400) as three quarterly payments, and larger credits ($2,400+) as monthly installments. The changes take effect for taxable years beginning January 1, 2025, and are implemented through updated tax law provisions.

Prohibits contributions or donations to be made by hostile foreign nations in connection with a state or local election; makes a knowing violation of such provisions a class A felony, subject to an additional civil penalty equal to the contribution or donation amount plus a fine of up to ten thousand dollars.