Asm. Andrew Hevesi

Prohibits the participation of certain animals in traveling animal acts; prohibits the department of environmental conservation from issuing permits or licenses allowing participation of certain animals in traveling animal acts; excludes certain permanent performing institutions; imposes a civil penalty not to exceed $1000 for a violation.

Prohibits the use of intoxication of the victim as a defense in sex crimes where the victim is under the influence of any drug, intoxicant, or other substance to a degree which rendered the victim temporarily incapable of appraising or controlling such person's conduct and such condition was known or reasonably should have been known to a person in the actor's situation.

Requires school districts to provide instructional programming and services in reading and literacy which are evidence based and aligned with state standards; requires teachers in grades pre-K through five to attend professional development courses in reading education.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires gas and electric companies to give their customers at least thirty days' written notice before any increase in service rates or charges takes effect. The law mandates that this notice clearly informs customers that a price hike is coming, ensuring they have time to adjust their budgets or explore alternatives. By amending the public service law, the measure directly impacts utility providers and the residential or commercial customers who rely on their services. The bill is designed to increase transparency in utility pricing without changing the actual rates themselves.

Relates to the powers of the head of the office of mental health and the head of the office for people with developmental disabilities to promulgate rules regarding communications needs of non-English speakers seeking or receiving services; includes the provision of language services and documents in English and the twelve most common non-English languages spoken by individuals in New York State based on United States census data.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's correction law to standardize how courts determine sex offender registration levels and classifications. It requires courts to use specific risk assessment tools to decide if a sex offender (released on probation, conditional discharge, or with a fine) must register long-term, be classified as a sexual predator/violent offender, or receive higher community notification. The process includes mandatory hearings where the district attorney must prove classifications with clear evidence, offenders can present evidence, and courts must provide written notices explaining the classification's impact on registration duration and public disclosure. The bill also ensures confidentiality for board recommendations and guarantees legal representation for financially unable offenders.

Relates to owner liability for failure of an operator to comply with street cleaning parking rules; relates to access to records prepared pursuant to street cleaning parking rules.

Provides a waiver of earnings limitations for retired sworn law enforcement officers employed by the office of the special commissioner of investigations for the New York city school district.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the distribution or publishing of political communications that use artificially generated or significantly altered media, such as deepfakes, when the creator knows the content is deceptive. It requires anyone distributing such material to clearly label it as manipulated, with specific disclosure rules for visual and audio formats. The law bans using these deceptive images or videos to influence elections without the consent of the people depicted, except for satire, news reporting, or paid broadcasts that include disclaimers. Candidates whose likeness appears in unauthorized deceptive media can seek legal relief, including court orders and cost recovery. The restrictions take effect on January 1, 2027.

Relates to the use of automated lending decision-making tools by banks for the purposes of making lending decisions; allows loan applicants to consent to or opt out of such use.