Asm. Larinda Hooks

Requires members of a public body to complete a minimum of two hours of training, with one hour on the state's open meetings law and one hour on freedom of information law; requires certain local, city, county, town and village public body members to complete such training as well.

Enacts the "independent senior housing resident freedom of choice act" to authorize persons in independent housing, shelters and residences to receive services they could otherwise receive if they resided in a private residence.

Requires all authorities having jurisdiction over a population exceeding five thousand residents to adopt a residential automated solar permitting platform by June thirtieth, two thousand twenty-seven.

Relates to fair pricing for low-complexity, routine medical care to more closely align payment rates across ambulatory settings for selected services that are safe and appropriate to provide in all settings.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public water systems serving at least 15 year-round residents to replace every lead service line (the pipe connecting a water main to a building) by November 1, 2037. It directly affects homeowners, renters, and property owners in communities with lead pipes, as water systems must cover all replacement costs at no direct charge to customers - though water rate increases may fund the program. Water systems must offer free replacement, provide access to properties for work, and allow property owners 45 days to opt out by handling their portion themselves (with inspection). The law also defines "lead status unknown" lines and prohibits partial replacements that leave lead pipe in place.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits defendants from using "free speech" as a defense in criminal or civil cases involving the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. It amends New York's Penal Law and Civil Rights Law to explicitly state that such dissemination cannot be justified by claims of protected speech. The law directly affects individuals who share intimate images without consent and the victims seeking legal recourse. Key provisions remove a legal loophole that previously allowed defendants to argue First Amendment protections in these cases. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets new requirements for who can supervise mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists in New York. It specifies that supervisors must have at least three years of active licensure, diagnostic privileges, and 36 hours of specialized training in supervision ethics. The bill also clarifies that supervised experience gained under certain department waivers - such as in settings operating under temporary authorization - can count toward licensing requirements. These changes apply directly to professionals seeking licensure and those providing supervision in the mental health counseling field.

Requires any contract or retainer agreement between a property owner and an attorney for legal services related to the filing and appearance before a board of assessment review regarding complaints in relation to assessments shall include a written disclosure that such complaints in relation to assessments can be completed without the assistance of an attorney.

Provides for the creation of an ebony alert system to be activated on behalf of Black youth who are reported missing under unexplained or suspicious circumstances, at risk, developmentally disabled, or cognitively impaired, or who have been abducted.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 9571) increases family leave benefits under New York's workers' compensation law, directly affecting eligible employees taking leave for medical care, bonding with a newborn, or military family exigencies. It gradually raises weekly benefit percentages (from 50% to 67% of average weekly wage) and extends maximum leave duration (from 8 to 12 weeks) over time, with specific phased-in dates starting in 2018. Covered employers must provide these enhanced benefits while maintaining health insurance coverage during leave. The changes apply to employees meeting eligibility criteria under the law, with the Superintendent of Financial Services retaining limited authority to delay increases.