Asm. Vivian Cook

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state-owned or leased buildings in cities with over one million residents (like New York City) to comply with local building and fire safety codes during construction, alterations, or maintenance. It applies specifically to state agencies and buildings, mandating adherence to city codes (such as NYC's DOB and FDNY Codes) for new construction and all modifications to existing structures. Existing buildings can continue current use without new certificates unless altered, but must eventually meet retroactive safety standards (with extended timelines for older requirements). The law ensures state properties face the same safety inspections and compliance rules as private buildings in these major cities.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for individuals who possess a weapon in subway stations, train stations, terminals, or on mass transit vehicles (like buses or trains) and use or attempt to use that weapon to commit another crime. It directly affects people carrying weapons in transit areas who escalate their actions to commit additional offenses. The key mechanism adds a new rule to the penal code, treating such weapon use in transit as a more serious crime (fourth-degree possession) rather than a lesser charge. The law applies to all public and private mass transit systems operating in these locations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's public health law to explicitly include senior citizens (defined as 62 years or older) as a vulnerable population eligible for supportive housing programs. It expands eligibility for state housing development grants to organizations serving seniors, requiring applicants to detail how they will support this group. Funding must directly support housing development and services for vulnerable populations, including seniors, with annual reports tracking how funds are used for this purpose. The change ensures seniors are formally recognized in the state's housing support system, affecting housing providers and senior residents seeking stable, accessible housing.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public schools in city school districts located in cities with a population of one million or more to close on March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day). It defines "qualified school districts" as those serving cities meeting the population threshold and mandates school closures for this date. The bill also includes a provision ensuring that observing St. Patrick’s Day does not count as a reduction in instructional days for attendance calculations. It directly affects large-city school systems (e.g., New York City, Los Angeles) but does not apply to smaller districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the number of shelter beds in each New York City council district to no more than 15% of its borough's total shelter capacity. It directly affects homeless shelters providing temporary housing for single adults, families, and families with children by requiring the city's housing department to enforce this cap. The key mechanism mandates that the department cannot renew shelter contracts if a district exceeds the 15% limit, and must adjust shelter placements to comply. This policy change aims to distribute shelter resources more evenly across boroughs, rather than concentrating them in specific districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases fines for violating public health laws. It raises penalties for nursing home and hospital operators from $3,000 to $5,000 per violation, with repeat offenses or violations causing harm now carrying up to $10,000 or $20,000 fines. Excess fines collected beyond $2,000 per violation go to a patient safety center, while nursing home fines over $10,000 fund quality improvement programs for nursing homes. The changes apply directly to healthcare facilities and their operators under New York's public health and social services laws.

Establishes the sanitary retail food store grant program to provide funding to retail food stores that fail inspections to correct deficiencies if such stores are unable to sustain the costs to immediately correct critical deficiencies, are located in food deserts, and would otherwise be unable to stay in operation due to their inability to meet and maintain sanitary standards.

Directs the department of civil service to conduct a study on competitive examinations for public employment held by the state department of civil service and by municipal commissions to determine whether the contents of such examinations have a discriminatory effect on minority examinees; requires a report on such findings to be delivered to the governor and legislature.

Requires that the state system for warning populations who are or may be endangered includes audible alerts for all announcements to ensure that information is accessible to visually impaired individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3742) requires all high schools to keep opioid antagonists (like naloxone) available for emergency overdose treatment and to have at least one trained employee present during all school hours and after-school activities. The law mandates schools to acquire the medication, designate a staff member who completed approved training in its use, and ensure that employee oversees storage and administration. It directly affects high schools, students, and staff by establishing a concrete protocol for responding to opioid overdoses on school grounds. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment and does not include exemptions for school activities.