Asm. Jessica González-Rojas

Maddy summaryThis bill allows SNAP (food stamp) recipients to receive replacement benefits if their benefits are stolen through fraud like card skimming, cloning, or third-party deception. It requires social services districts to replace stolen benefits within five business days without requiring police reports, capping replacements at the lesser of the stolen amount or two months' benefits per household. The bill limits replacements to twice yearly for thefts before October 2024 and once yearly after, while exempting replacements from future benefit deductions. It directly affects SNAP recipients who experience verified benefit theft, streamlining the recovery process.

Permits a redetermination of a tax abatement for rent-controlled and rent regulated property occupied by senior citizens or persons with disabilities upon a permanent decrease in income.

Requires the metropolitan transportation authority to publish certain information pertaining to capital project data for projects that are committed for construction on the capital program dashboard maintained by the authority on the authority's website; requires sources of funding to be specified.

Requires vision screening in public schools using examination devices and testing methods as may be authorized in the regulations of the commissioner of education, including but not limited to, the Snellen Eye Test Chart and automated vision screening devices.

Enacts the "New York city teleworking expansion act"; provides that each agency shall establish a policy and program to allow employees to perform all or a portion of their duties through teleworking to the maximum extent possible without diminished employee performance; defines the term "telework" to mean to perform normal and regular work functions on a workday that ordinarily would be performed at the agency's principal location at a different location, thereby eliminating or substantially reducing the physical commute to and from such agency's principal location.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the official name of the second Monday in October holiday from "Columbus Day" to "Indigenous People's Day," effective October 2025. It updates multiple state laws to replace "Columbus Day" with "Indigenous People's Day" in lists of observed public holidays, including those governing flag display, transportation regulations, and town appropriations. The change affects state government operations, public institutions, and related administrative procedures that reference this holiday. It does not alter the date of the holiday or impact private businesses. The policy change is limited to the official designation in state statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal right to counsel for eligible immigrants in New York during immigration proceedings. It applies to income-eligible non-citizens or those with significant New York ties (like residents or cases tied to NY courts) facing removal or detention under federal immigration law. The New York State Office for New Americans will administer the program, providing initial consultations and ongoing legal representation starting when a case begins (e.g., upon receiving a "Notice to Appear") and continuing until the case concludes. Legal services must be offered regardless of the proceeding's location, including federal immigration courts outside New York.

Relates to establishing the housing access voucher program; provides that the commissioner of the division of housing and community renewal shall implement a program of rental assistance in the form of housing vouchers for eligible individuals and families who are homeless or who face an imminent loss of housing; provides that the commissioner shall designate housing access voucher local administrators in the state to administer the program.

Prohibits the use of biometric surveillance technology by law enforcement; establishes the biometric surveillance regulation task force; provides for the expiration and repeal of certain provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale or offer for sale of cosmetic and personal care products (like lotions, makeup, or shampoos) containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals. It directly affects manufacturers and retailers by banning the use of these substances in such products. The law defines PFAS as fluorinated chemicals with at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom. The prohibition will take effect on June 1, 2026.