Relates to protecting the communication rights of individuals with disabilities; provides that each person with a disability has the right to communicate in their preferred manner.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates three types of specialty license plates for New York residents: one for current members of the U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division, one for supporters of the division, and one for veterans. Applicants must verify their status (membership, support, or veteran status) and pay a $20 annual fee, with the revenue funding plate production and marketing. The state motor vehicle department requires a $6,000 bond for plate production unless 200+ orders are received upfront, with excess funds supporting a scholarship program. The bill directly affects eligible military members, supporters, and veterans who register vehicles in New York.
Establishes an Alzheimer's disease outreach and education program for medical and non-medical professionals to promote earlier identification of Alzheimer's and to provide information and other assistance in finding community support for caregivers.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum jail term for certain misdemeanors from 364 days to one full year. It directly affects individuals convicted of Class A misdemeanors and unclassified misdemeanors under New York's penal law. The key change amends specific sections of the penal law to update the sentencing limit, allowing courts to impose sentences up to one year for these offenses. The bill repeals a prior subdivision that previously capped sentences at 364 days for these categories.
Relates to establishing guidelines for DAs with regard to electronic conversion of certain records, books or papers in the care, custody or control of DAs that are more than 10 years old.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state to reimburse counties for the full cost of Medicaid fraud detection software they've already purchased or plan to buy. It directly affects counties that use data mining tools to identify patterns of fraud, waste, or abuse in medical assistance programs. Counties must provide documentation (like receipts) of their software purchases, and the state will pay from the general fund. The reimbursement is automatic for qualifying software, defined as tools using statistical analysis to detect improper use of Medicaid.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A 5165) changes sentencing requirements for certain serious crimes in New York. It mandates that defendants convicted of specific types of first-degree murder (as defined in sections 125.27(i)-(iii) of the penal law), aggravated murder, or certain terrorism/chemical weapon offenses must receive either the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole. For other first-degree murder convictions, the court must choose between death, life without parole, or a standard class A-I felony sentence. The bill also specifies that individuals convicted of murder in the second degree under defined circumstances must receive life without parole. These changes apply directly to defendants convicted of the listed offenses in New York State.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York's Education Commissioner to survey school districts about how they teach Jewish heritage history, including what grades cover it, teaching methods, and challenges faced. It creates a 4-member advisory committee of education experts to review the survey findings and recommend improvements to K-12 curriculum and instruction. The survey results and committee recommendations must be reported to state leaders by January 2026, with the bill expiring after three years. The bill directly affects school districts' current practices in teaching Jewish heritage history but does not mandate new curriculum or funding.
Prohibits food-service and retail establishments from refusing to accept cash as payment for goods or services; calls for a civil fine if an establishment should refuse cash as payment.
Requires each school district to provide interventions and special curricula for children with dyslexia or other phonological learning differences or disabilities.