Asm. Jake Blumencranz

Provides that for taxable years beginning on and after January first, two thousand twenty-six, a resident taxpayer who serves as an active volunteer firefighter or as a volunteer ambulance worker shall be allowed a credit against the tax imposed equal to eight hundred dollars; provides for a real property tax exemption under certain circumstances to an enrolled member of an incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department or incorporated voluntary ambulance service residing in such city, village, town, school district, special district, fire district or county.

Provides that no individual or entity shall be charged a central business district toll during any period of strike by an employee organization, work stoppage or declared state of emergency that causes a stoppage for more than twenty-four hours or significant delays of any metropolitan transportation authority, metro north commuter railroad, New York city transit authority, or Long Island railroad services.

Provides a tax exemption on real property owned by active auxiliary police officers in local law enforcement agencies in certain counties having a population of more than 1.38 million and less than 1.42 million, determined in accordance with the latest federal decennial census.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "First Responder Peer Support Program Act" to create a statewide grant program for peer-to-peer mental health support services. It directly affects first responders - including firefighters, police officers, EMTs, 911 operators, and correctional officers - by providing funding for local programs offering trauma-informed training and mental health resources. Key provisions include requiring standardized training on trauma, suicide prevention, and resilience; mandating strict confidentiality for participants; and prohibiting disclosure of personal information to employers. Grants are allocated to eligible local entities, with annual reports tracking program use without identifying individuals.

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.

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.

Enacts "Madison's law"; requires the department of health to establish procedures to expedite the timely verification and transmission of birth certificates for children born through surrogacy or adoption.

Establishes criminal offenses related to cruelty to and the killing of animals; provides for enhanced sentencing and victim statements; requires landlords to check the animal abuser registry; establishes the New York state animal abuser registry; makes conforming changes; repeals provisions relating to aggravated cruelty to animals.

Provides that the thruway authority shall issue permits for ambulances and fire vehicles exempting such vehicles from paying tolls on the thruway when engaged in an emergency operation.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new felony offense, "endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree," which is punishable by a class D felony. It applies to individuals who knowingly act in ways that create a foreseeable risk of serious physical injury or long-term emotional harm to a child under 17, or to those with prior convictions for the existing misdemeanor-level "endangering the welfare of a child in the second degree." The current second-degree offense (a class A misdemeanor) covers less severe conduct, such as failing to prevent a child from being abused, neglected, or exposed to danger. The bill also updates related provisions, including a defense for religious treatment of illness and civil claims for sexual offenses.