Asm. Alicia Hyndman

Maddy summaryThis bill allows borough presidents to remove members they appointed to community district education councils if those members engage in criminal wrongdoing or misconduct, as defined by the chancellor. It directly affects appointed council members who face potential removal for such conduct. The key mechanism requires the council to declare a vacancy and certify it to the chancellor after the borough president decides to remove the member for the specified reasons. This change amends existing education law to add this removal authority for appointed council members.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires courts to order certain first-time offenders convicted of alcohol or drug-related traffic offenses (like DUI) to attend and pay for approved rehabilitation programs as part of their sentence. It applies to individuals with no prior convictions for similar offenses, excluding those who participated in such programs within the past five years. Courts may deny participation for "good cause" (with documented reasons), and participants must complete the program to qualify for sentence termination, potentially ending any jail time imposed. The policy shifts sentencing focus from incarceration to treatment for eligible non-violent, first-time traffic violations involving alcohol or drugs.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it a felony to intentionally create and share manipulated media (like deepfakes) that appears real and harms an identifiable person without their consent, with the intent to cause emotional, financial, or physical harm. It specifically targets fabricated photos, videos, or audio created using AI or editing tools that look authentic but depict false scenarios. Exceptions include news reporting, artistic expression, law enforcement use, and platforms sharing content they didn’t create. The law defines "fabricated" as media indistinguishable from reality that’s altered or entirely artificial, and classifies violations as a class E felony.

Requires all dwellings in projects located within the state to include braille labeling on all room numbers, elevator buttons, and directional signage in common areas in such dwellings.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3106) requires New York's Department of Financial Services to study current minimum auto insurance coverage requirements. The study will examine liability, uninsured motorist, and no-fault coverage amounts under state law, assessing whether they adequately protect consumers, how much higher coverage people actually buy, and how increasing minimums might affect premiums and claims. The department must consult with insurers, consumer groups, and other stakeholders, then submit a report with recommendations to state leaders by April 2027. This study directly affects all New York drivers who purchase non-commercial auto insurance, as it may lead to potential changes in required coverage levels.

Limits retaliation against incarcerated individuals following the filing of a grievance, by requiring more than the oral or written statement of the subject of a grievance filed by an incarcerated individual for the purposes of finding such incarcerated individual guilty at an evidentiary or disciplinary hearing for misbehavior.

Authorizes certain persons confined in institutions operated by the department of corrections and community supervision to apply for a sentence reduction.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 5199) ensures that New York residents with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status maintain Medicaid benefits even if the federal government ends those programs. It directly affects TPS beneficiaries and DACA recipients in New York by preventing the state from canceling their Medicaid coverage due to changes in federal immigration designations. Key provisions require the state health department to: (1) keep Medicaid benefits active for TPS/DACA recipients if federal programs end, and (2) extend eligibility to former TPS/DACA recipients who meet all other Medicaid requirements except immigration status. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Requires the board of elections to establish an electronic system allowing absentee voters to monitor the status of their ballot and to correct an unaccepted ballot.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases annual funding for problem gambling education and treatment programs from $6 million to $12 million, starting in fiscal year 2025. The funds come from 1% of mobile sports wagering tax revenue collected by the state commission. The change directly affects state-funded gambling treatment programs and the commission responsible for distributing the funds, while a separate $5 million allocation continues for youth sports programs. The policy change is a specific financial adjustment to existing tax revenue distribution rules.