Asm. Joe DeStefano

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as "Pete's Law," removes the time limit for prosecuting drivers who flee the scene of an accident that results in a death. Under current rules, legal action must be taken within a specific period, but this change allows authorities to initiate charges at any time, regardless of how much time has passed since the incident. The law specifically targets hit-and-run cases involving fatalities and does not apply to accidents where no one dies. It will not take effect immediately but will begin 120 days after it is officially signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime called aggravated disorderly conduct, which applies to individuals who intentionally or recklessly block traffic or prevent people from entering or leaving buildings during unauthorized protests or assemblies. The offense is classified as a class A misdemeanor and is designated as a specified offense, meaning it triggers specific legal procedures associated with hate crimes. Additionally, the legislation updates rules regarding bail, allowing courts to deny release on one's own recognizance for this new charge if there is reasonable cause to believe the defendant committed the crime.

Excludes the amount of state and local taxes and fees from the amount on which an interchange fee is charged for that electronic payment transaction by a credit or debit card network; prohibits a payment card network from altering or manipulating the computation and imposition of interchange fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public and private middle and high schools (grades 7-12) to restrict participation on teams designated exclusively for female athletes to individuals assigned female at birth. It amends education law to prohibit schools from allowing anyone not assigned female at birth to join such teams, overriding conflicting rules or regulations. The provision applies to all interscholastic and intramural athletic teams competing against other schools. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, with rules needed for implementation to be finalized before that date.

Relates to enacting the Come Home to Hunt Act, which provides for the purchase of a two-day hunting license for non-residents to hunt domestic game bird, migratory game bird, big game, and small game.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical personnel (first responders) diagnosed with work-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to request paid sick leave starting from their diagnosis date. Employers must grant this leave at the employee’s regular pay rate without reducing accrued sick or vacation time, and they cannot punish employees for using it. The law also prohibits employers from taking adverse actions like discipline or demotion for utilizing this leave. The state will reimburse smaller municipalities for costs, and current employees with PTSD diagnosed before the bill’s effective date will receive retroactive sick leave restoration.

Includes falsely reporting incidents in an attempt to bring about the dispatch of a large number of police officers to a particular address or location as a felony offense under the crime of falsely reporting an incident in the second degree.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new class E felony offense for intentionally interfering with police officers during their duties. It specifically prohibits actions like spitting on officers, throwing objects, or physically pushing, shoving, or blocking them while they are performing official tasks. The law defines obstruction as a criminal act punishable by up to four years in prison, applying directly to individuals who disrupt officer safety or operations. The bill does not include exceptions or additional context beyond these specific prohibited behaviors.

Establishes the crimes of assault on a pregnant person in the second degree as a class D felony and assault on a pregnant person in the first degree as a class C felony.

Relates to the unlawful discharge of a loaded firearm toward any police officer, firefighter, corrections officer, peace officer, or emergency medical services personnel.