Asm. Alicia Hyndman

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the laws governing wrongful death lawsuits to clarify exactly what types of money can be awarded to the surviving family members of a deceased person. It explicitly allows juries or courts to grant compensation for funeral costs, medical bills incurred before death, grief, and the loss of financial support, guidance, and companionship. The legislation also defines who is eligible to receive these damages, including spouses, domestic partners, children, parents, and individuals who stood in a parent-like role to the deceased. Additionally, the bill sets specific rules for how the awarded money must be shared among eligible survivors based on their individual losses and outlines how legal fees and other expenses are handled.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates East Harlem, also known as "El Barrio," as a cultural district by amending the state's arts and cultural affairs law. The legislation defines the district's boundaries as the area between East 96th and 125th Streets, bounded by Fifth Avenue and the East River. Once designated, the Council on the Arts is authorized to provide grants, technical assistance, and other support to cultural institutions within this specific region to promote its cultural significance. The law also allows the council to designate additional cultural districts in the future, provided they are compact, contiguous areas with a shared cultural heritage.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates state agricultural laws to officially classify cannabis as a crop, livestock product, and livestock. By adding a new paragraph to the agriculture and markets law, it incorporates the legal definition of cannabis from the state's cannabis law into the agricultural code. The change takes effect immediately upon signing, ensuring that cannabis is recognized within the existing framework for farming and agricultural markets.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new rules for automobile brokers, requiring them to maintain a permanent physical location for their business and update their registration within thirty days if that address changes. It mandates that written contracts between brokers and consumers must include specific details such as the vehicle description, total price, estimated delivery date, and a clear statement that the broker cannot charge fees from both the buyer and the dealer. Additionally, the law requires these contracts to be easily cancellable with a full refund processed within ten business days if the final price exceeds the estimate by more than five percent or if the car is not delivered within thirty days of the estimated date. The legislation also enforces stricter advertising standards and requires that all mandatory contract terms be printed in bold, twelve-point type to ensure they are clearly visible to consumers.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for issuing certificates of relief from disabilities, which are legal documents that remove barriers for individuals with criminal records. It requires both courts and the Department of Corrections to verify three specific conditions before granting these certificates: the applicant must be an eligible offender, the relief must support their rehabilitation, and the decision must serve the public interest. By codifying these requirements, the legislation ensures a consistent standard for evaluating applications regardless of whether the request comes from a judge or a state agency. The changes take effect approximately 90 days after the law is signed.

Permits the court to withhold the names and addresses of jurors in certain proceedings; sets factors for determining good cause to issue protective orders for juries.

Expands the definition of mental health care provider to include licensed mental health counselors and licensed marriage and family therapists, for purposes of certain sex offenses committed during a treatment session, consultation, interview, or examination.

Enacts the "NY broadband resiliency, public safety and quality act" to provide for oversight of the resiliency, public safety and quality of broadband and voice over internet protocol service.

Provides that NYSERDA shall establish a program to provide rebates or new lithium-ion batteries for powered mobility devices at reduced cost or no cost to certain individuals; sets standards for lithium-ion batteries provided pursuant to the program; requires NYSERDA to submit an annual report on such program.

Establishes a captive insurance program for commuter vans, black cars, ambulettes and paratransit vehicles, small school buses, and charter buses that are engaged in the business of carrying or transporting eight to twenty-four passengers for hire; pre-arranged for-hire vehicles and accessible vehicles; defines terms.