Asm. Andrew Hevesi

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state-operated hospitals, university health facilities, and cancer institutes from suing patients to collect medical debt. It defines medical debt as any amount owed for health care services, products, devices, or ambulance care provided by licensed providers. The law applies specifically to these public institutions and bars them from filing civil or supreme court lawsuits against individuals for such debts. The provision takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Fashion Environmental Accountability Act, requires large fashion retailers to conduct standardized environmental due diligence on their supply chains and creates a remediation fund to address harms. It applies to businesses selling new clothing, shoes, or bags with over $100 million in annual revenue, excluding used clothing sellers and most multi-brand retailers. Companies must map their suppliers across four tiers, from raw material providers to finished goods manufacturers, and report on their efforts to prevent or mitigate environmental damage. The legislation mandates that these reports be independently verified and published using open data principles, while defining a "living wage" as a key standard for worker compensation.

Enacts the legislative oversight of automated decision-making in government act (LOADinG Act) to regulate the use of automated decision-making systems and artificial intelligence techniques by state agencies.

Enacts the "packaging reduction and recycling infrastructure act" to require companies selling, offering for sale, or distributing packaging materials and products to register with a packaging reduction organization to develop a packaging reduction and recycling plan.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changing the state constitution to allow the legislature to adjust the number of Supreme Court justices in each judicial district based on population. Under the new rules, the number of justices could be increased if a district's population grows, with a limit of one justice for every fifty thousand people, or decreased if the population shrinks, provided the total does not fall below the current authorized number. The amendment also clarifies that judges from specific county courts in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island would serve as Supreme Court justices within their respective districts. Because this change requires a constitutional amendment, the bill must be published for three months before the next general election and approved by voters.

Establishes the "New York state lead-safe renovation, repair and painting act"; establishes standards for lead-safe renovation, repair and painting of residential properties; requires documentation of compliance with such standards.

Authorizes courts to hold evidentiary hearings for a temporary order of protection in certain circumstances; grants superior court judges the authority to issue a temporary order of protection when an action is pending in a local criminal court in certain circumstances.

Amends provisions of law governing arbitration proceedings; specifies fees and expenses with regard to employment or consumer arbitration proceedings; directs certain sanctions on a party which breaches an arbitration agreement.

Authorizes the state inspector general to receive and investigate complaints of sexual assault in correctional facilities and other places operated by the department of corrections and community supervision for the confinement of persons; requires the state inspector general to establish protocol and procedures for such reports and investigations.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the list of school safety activities eligible for funding under the state's omnibus school violence prevention grant program. It specifically authorizes money to support anti-violence education programs that offer trauma support, counseling, and empowerment activities for students affected by gun violence. To qualify for these funds, the programs must be run by nonprofit organizations, provide evidence-based services, and include clear goals and assessment methods to measure their effectiveness. The legislation also clarifies that any funded program cannot use firearms for training or demonstrations.