Asm. Andrew Hevesi

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 4435) establishes the New York State Muslim American Advisory Council to advise the state legislature on policies affecting Muslim Americans. The 10-member council, appointed from community organizations and legislative leaders, will provide recommendations to improve civic participation, integration (socially, educationally, culturally, and economically), and communication between state agencies and Muslim communities. The council must submit an annual report with factual findings and recommendations to the legislature within 16 months of its creation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $1.2 billion permanent fund to improve wages and benefits for New York's childcare workforce. It directly affects licensed childcare providers that accept families using the state's Child Care Assistance Program, requiring them to use at least 75% of funds for direct caregivers (like teachers), 10% for administrators, and the rest for program quality or expansion. The fund mandates that providers meet a new minimum compensation scale (developed with worker input) aiming to align childcare wages with public school educators. The Office of Children and Family Services will distribute funds based on factors like serving high-need children, underserved communities, and enrollment, with annual reporting requirements.

Relates to procedures relating to driving while ability impaired by drugs; defines impairment and intoxication; updates procedures for field testing of drivers suspected of being under the influence of drugs to include the use of oral/bodily fluid tests; provides that refusal to submit to such field tests is specified to be a traffic infraction; makes related provisions.

Includes care and services provided by a child advocacy center licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized by the office of children and family services under standard coverage for Medicaid recipients.

Relates to the discovery provisions applicable to juvenile delinquency proceedings in family court with regard to the timing of discovery, disclosure prior to certain guilty pleas, DNA evidence, court orders, and the admissibility of discovery.

Exempts a person from a money judgment arising from an action in another state for knowingly engaging in conduct that aids or abets the performance or inducement of an abortion.

Establishes a tort cause of action for the wrongful injury or death of a companion animal; provides for compensatory and punitive damages and injunctive relief and three year statute of limitations on commencement of such an action.

Increases the personal needs allowance for residents of certain residential health care facilities from fifty-five dollars to one hundred dollars per month.

Relates to the standards of monthly need for persons in receipt of public assistance; provides for an increased monthly allowance for persons and families residing in shelters.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state to reimburse non-public and private schools for costs incurred when the state mandates COVID-19 testing for students, teachers, and staff in in-person school settings. It directly affects all non-public and private schools subject to such state-mandated testing requirements. The state must cover these costs through a process established by the Commissioner of Education, who will create rules and procedures for reimbursement. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.