Asm. Vivian Cook

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the education law to expand the definition of "tuition" for children with handicapping conditions. It now includes costs like classroom supplies, facility operations, maintenance, and direct reimbursement for actual public expenses (e.g., building upkeep), beyond just instructional services. The definition explicitly excludes federal funds, state refunds for special programs, and other specific revenue sources when calculating tuition. This change affects how educational costs are measured for these students, ensuring broader coverage of expenses in funding calculations.

Enacts CJ's Law--oil and gas drilling workplace safety act; requires the enactment of rules and regulations for enhanced workplace safety and employee training for all oil and gas drilling operations in the state; provides that new permit holders should utilize union laborers or laborers with specific training; provides that employers shall report workplace accidents and the commissioner of the department of labor must publish a quarterly report on workplace accidents.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New York's charter school regulations to strengthen oversight and student protections. It requires charter schools to follow clearer discipline procedures (including due process for suspensions exceeding five days), maintain enrollment/suspension rates comparable to district schools, and meet specific student achievement goals to renew their charter. The bill also mandates annual audits, detailed facility reporting, and ensures students can transfer to public schools without pressure. These changes directly affect all New York charter schools and their enrolled students, particularly regarding student discipline, accountability, and operational transparency.

Permits an exception from registration for nonresident pharmacies in cases of a specific patient need or a declared public health emergency under certain conditions.

Authorizes the commissioner of transportation to conduct a study relating to airborne ultrafine particles; analyzes the impacts of certain large hub commercial airports on airborne ultrafine particles; analyzes the characteristics of such particles; identifies effectiveness of mitigation measures.

Enacts the "Empowering People in Rights Enforcement (EMPIRE) Worker Protection Act"; relates to the delegation of state enforcement authority to private actors; authorizes an affected employee, whistleblower, representative organization or an organizational deputy to initiate a public enforcement action on behalf of the commissioner for certain provisions of the labor law, or any regulation promulgated thereunder.

Enacts the consumer litigation funding act to promote consumer protections related to consumer litigation funding transactions; provides for contract requirements, including that the contract contain a no penalty provision for the prepayment of the funded amount prior to the settlement of their case; makes related provisions.

Authorizes the department of transportation to establish and implement a state memorial sign program to memorialize persons who died due to injuries sustained in a fatal motor vehicle crash on state highways.

Relates to employment of persons and veterans with disabilities by the state; provides up to five thousand positions may be filled by persons with a physical or mental disability and up to two thousand positions may be filled by disabled veterans and veterans with disabilities.

Authorizes the office of parks, recreation and historic preservation and the office of mental health to conduct a study pertaining to a proposed expansion of the Long Island Motor Parkway trail.