Asm. Vivian Cook

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates mandatory minimum prison sentences for certain offenses, replacing them with judicial discretion to determine appropriate sentences based on individual circumstances. It requires courts to provide written explanations for sentencing decisions and mandates that pre-sentence reports include analysis of incarceration costs to the state. Defendants gain expanded access to pre-sentence reports used in sentencing decisions, and judges must consider rehabilitation and community safety goals rather than fixed minimum terms. The law applies to felony sentencing under New York's penal and criminal procedure laws, directly affecting judges, defendants, and the state correctional system.

Establishes the biometric identifier privacy act; requires private entities in possession of biometric identifiers or biometric information to develop a written policy establishing a retention schedule and guidelines for permanently destroying biometric identifiers and biometric information when the initial purpose for collecting or obtaining such identifiers or information has been satisfied or within three years of the individual's last interaction with the private entity, whichever occurs first.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3536) requires GPS navigation systems sold or used in New York State to display the legal clearance height of bridges and overpasses along proposed routes. It directly affects navigation system manufacturers and sellers by mandating they provide this specific clearance data - defined as the height marked on highway signs under existing traffic law - when generating routes. The key provision states systems must include this information unless they provide clear user instructions about vehicle height restrictions and the driver’s responsibility to comply. This aims to prevent accidents involving low-clearance structures by ensuring navigation tools reflect official highway signage. The bill does not alter traffic laws but requires navigation technology to align with current clearance signage standards.

Provides that the thruway authority shall issue permits for ambulances and fire vehicles exempting such vehicles from paying tolls on the thruway when engaged in an emergency operation.

Prohibits the use of intoxication of the victim as a defense in sex crimes where the victim is under the influence of any drug, intoxicant, or other substance to a degree which rendered the victim temporarily incapable of appraising or controlling such person's conduct and such condition was known or reasonably should have been known to a person in the actor's situation.

Maddy summaryBill A 7467 expands the legal definitions of "sewage" and "sewerage system" for specific water, sewer, and water and sewer authorities. It explicitly includes "stormwater" within these definitions, meaning these authorities will legally manage stormwater as part of their waste and collection systems. The bill also defines "stormwater" as unabsorbed flow from rain or meltwater on the ground or other surfaces. This aims to clarify the responsibilities of these authorities for the collection, conveyance, treatment, and disposal of stormwater.

Requires health care plans and payors to have a minimum of twelve and one-half percent of their total expenditures on physical and mental health annually be for primary care services.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale of medical adhesives and bandages containing PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in New York State after December 31, 2026. It directly affects manufacturers and sellers of these medical products, requiring them to ensure their items contain no intentionally added PFAS or PFAS above a feasible, regularly reviewed threshold. Sellers must obtain written compliance certificates from manufacturers confirming PFAS-free products, and violations carry civil penalties up to $2,500 per day of noncompliance. The law focuses on concrete regulatory changes for medical products, excluding FDA-regulated devices from its scope.

Prohibits public employers from diminishing health insurance benefits provided to Medicare-eligible retirees and their Medicare-eligible dependents or the contributions such employer makes for such health insurance coverage below the level of such benefits or contributions made on behalf of such retirees and dependents by the public employer as of December 31, 2021.

Indexes fixed dollar amounts in the statute to inflation, authorizes changes to compensation plans, removes obsolete language, and removes unnecessary filing requirements for certain life insurance and annuity businesses.