Asm. Danny Norber

Permits judicial discretion based on dangerousness when issuing a securing order; allows for limited pre-trial detention upon such a determination; extends the time period for discovery from twenty to forty-five days; permits the immediate issuance of a bench warrant for failure to appear for certain principals charged with hate crimes; places restrictions on when appearance tickets may be issued.

Makes it a violation to loiter while masked or disguised by unusual or unnatural attire or facial alteration while in a group of six or more persons so masked or disguised.

Provides for the revocation of a person's driver's license who has been convicted of operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 4861) increases fines for public urination or defecation in New York City to $500 per violation. It directly affects individuals who commit these acts in public spaces, replacing previous penalty tiers with a flat $500 fine for each offense. The bill amends specific sections of the city’s administrative code to set this new maximum penalty, removing prior distinctions for first or repeat offenses related to public urination or defecation.

Requires instruction in arts and music education to be incorporated into curriculums for all public school students; requires school districts to ensure that appropriately certified teachers are providing such education; authorizes rules and regulations consistent with such provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 4761) prohibits New York state agencies from contracting with entities that boycott certain U.S. allies, defined as NATO members, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Ireland, and other specified nations. It requires the commissioner to publish an annual list of boycotting entities and mandates contractors to certify they are not on this list when bidding for state contracts. Exemptions allow limited exceptions for past boycotts that ceased or for critical services essential to state operations. The law creates a formal process for entities to challenge their inclusion on the list and for agencies to enforce compliance through contract penalties.

Defines the term "construction projects" to mean the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or improvement of any school building where a district receives any apportionment for debt service or building aid and the school building is sited within the Long Island region; provides that each contract involving the award of a construction project shall require the use of a project labor agreement for all contractors and subcontractors on such project.

Directs the public service commission in consultation with NYSERDA to conduct a full cost benefit analysis of the technical and economic feasibility of renewable energy systems in the state of New York and to compare such directly with other methods of electricity generation within nine months after the effective date and every four years thereafter.

Provides that the "Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Flag" shall be the official state flag for the raising of awareness of veteran suicide; directs the commissioner of general services to establish a protocol for the flying of such flag.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York health insurance plans to cover preventive obstetric and gynecological services - such as cervical cancer screenings and bone density tests for osteoporosis - without annual deductibles or co-payments. It mandates prescription drug plans to include coverage for FDA-approved contraceptives, which may include reasonable deductibles and co-payments, while allowing religious organizations to opt out of covering contraceptives conflicting with their beliefs. Enrollees in group plans that opt out of contraceptive coverage can directly purchase it from their insurer at the same cost as the group plan. The bill repeals prior contraceptive coverage requirements and updates insurance law to standardize these preventive care provisions.