Rep. Claire Valdez

Establishes the New York dignity in pregnancy and childbirth act; requires hospitals and other facilities that provide perinatal care to implement an evidence-based implicit bias program for all health care providers involved in the perinatal care of patients within those facilities; requires the department of health to publish reports on maternal morbidity and pregnancy related deaths.

Provides WiFi service and internet access to all individuals residing in temporary housing; relates to funding for internet service under the ConnectAll digital equity grant program.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of "eating disorder" in New York State law to explicitly include avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), alongside existing conditions like anorexia and bulimia. It updates two key laws: Section 30.02 of the Mental Hygiene Law (which defines eating disorders) and Section 207 of the Public Health Law (which governs awareness programs). By adding ARFID to the definition, the bill ensures individuals with this condition qualify for mental health services and support programs currently available for other recognized eating disorders. The change directly affects people diagnosed with ARFID who seek mental health care, aligning state policy with current medical diagnostic standards. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all state agencies to only purchase firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories from dealers who do not sell unserialized gun build kits or firearm precursor parts. Bidders must certify annual compliance with firearm safety laws, including providing documentation on trace requests, thefts, inspections, and policies preventing straw sales or sales to prohibited individuals. It mandates that contractors implement specific safety practices, such as employee training and digital surveillance, to detect illegal transfers. The state will develop a public safety scoring system to evaluate bidders' compliance, effective April 2027. This directly affects state procurement contracts and suppliers seeking to work with government agencies.

Prohibits the use of restraints on and the use of force against incarcerated individuals during labor and incarcerated individuals who have experienced different pregnancy outcomes, absent extraordinary circumstances, and on pregnant and post-pregnancy persons during a custodial interrogation; provides for certain exceptions for restraints to be used and in such case limits the use to wrist restraints.

Prohibits public food service establishments operating in the state from providing excess food service items including single-use utensils, condiments, napkins and extra containers, to any customer except upon, and in accordance with, the express request of that customer.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the commercial farming of octopuses in the state for human consumption. It defines "aquaculture" as farming aquatic organisms under controlled conditions and explicitly excludes wild-caught octopuses and research-related farming. The law bans any person from engaging in octopus farming for food, with violations subject to fines up to $1,000 per day and offense. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryBill A 5846 provides remedies for disruptions during early voting or Election Day voting, directly affecting voters and the Boards of Elections. It mandates that if voting at a polling place or district is delayed for over 15 consecutive minutes, the Board of Elections must extend the voting timeframe to compensate for the lost time. This extension can happen on the same day or a subsequent voting day, potentially at alternative locations. The bill also requires the Board of Elections to widely publicize any such remedial actions taken, though they can vote to waive the extension under specific, documented circumstances.

Enacts the "student voter empowerment act"; requires each institution of higher education to designate a staff member to act as a student voting coordinator; requires such coordinator to develop and implement a student voting action plan to increase student voter registration and voting and democratic participation among students.

Requires third-party food delivery services and third-party grocery delivery services to provide the ability to include a gratuity at the same point in the online order process when the underlying order is placed; provides that customers shall not be required to pay a gratuity; provides that third-party food delivery services and third-party grocery delivery services shall not reduce the compensation of any worker as a result of gratuities; establishes penalties for violations of such provisions.