Asm. Vivian Cook

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's vehicle and traffic law to clarify when pedestrians have the right-of-way at intersections. It specifically requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks during steady green signals, flashing "DON'T WALK" signals, and yellow signals, and when turning right at red lights. The changes apply directly to pedestrians crossing streets and drivers operating vehicles at intersections with traffic signals or crosswalks. Key provisions include explicit language stating drivers must yield to pedestrians "within a marked or unmarked crosswalk" during specified signal phases.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a permit system for facilities that respectfully handle cremated remains and natural organic reduction (like composting). Operators must be New York not-for-profit corporations that file detailed plans with the cemetery board, including evidence of conservation easements, a pledge against building crematories, and consumer contracts. The permit requires compliance with existing zoning laws and cemetery board regulations governing land access and remains disposal. It directly affects facility operators and consumers using these specific memorial services, ensuring standardized management of such lands.

Provides for a personal income tax deduction for school supplies paid for out-of-pocket by K-12 teachers in public and nonpublic schools, up to $500 per year.

Establishes the police canine vest fund to be used for the purpose of purchasing, maintaining, repairing and replacing soft body ballistic armor vests and other protective equipment for state police and municipal department police canines utilized in the performance of police duties, as well as the purchasing and training of such police canines.

Relates to designating blighted property and blighted areas; establishes criteria for designation; provides definition of blighted property and blighted areas; amends definition of substandard or insanitary area by removing the words "slum" and "deteriorated or deteriorating".

Maddy summaryThis bill removes time limits for certain standardized tests administered by city districts. It specifically applies to state assessments, city-created tests, and other standardized exams given to students in city school districts. The law requires that these tests have no set time limits when administered, regardless of who created the test. This change directly affects students taking these tests within city school systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New York's Department of Health (with other agencies) to study medications prescribed for school-age children with ADD and ADHD. The study will examine harmful side effects, the accuracy of diagnostic tools, medication appropriateness, and whether diagnosis rates vary by demographic group. The Department must report findings to the governor and legislature within two years of the bill taking effect. The bill does not change current prescribing practices but aims to inform future policy through evidence-based research.

Provides that the existence of an infestation of pests in a premises occupied for dwelling purposes is a breach of the warranty of habitability, and requires a landlord to keep premises occupied for dwelling purposes free from an infestation of pests, prevent the reasonably foreseeable occurrence of such a condition and expeditiously remediate such condition and any underlying defect.

Establishes the work opportunity tax credit for businesses with fifty employees or less for hiring a long term unemployed person; provides a credit shall be allowed of up to $2,400; provides the total amount of credit provided statewide shall not exceed fifteen million dollars.

Eliminates provisions exempting employees with disabilities from the minimum wage law; provides that laws or minimum wage orders that authorize an employer to pay a wage that is less than the minimum wage are valid provided that under such laws or orders an employee with a disability is paid the same wage as an employee in a comparable position that does not have a disability.