Asm. Catalina Cruz

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.

Provides that an accusatory instrument or supporting deposition consisting of factual allegations by a deponent with limited English proficiency is not sufficient unless accompanied by a sworn statement from an interpreter affirming the accuracy of the English interpretation.

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 summaryBill A 1994 amends the Vehicle and Traffic Law regarding parking violations. It provides that if a parking ticket is missing, incorrect, or illegible in its required information, the violation must be dismissed. This bill removes the requirement for the charged individual to formally apply for such a dismissal. Furthermore, these defenses can be raised and result in dismissal even after a default judgment has been entered for the parking violation. It applies to all parking notices issued on or after the bill's effective date.

Directs the commissioner of education to change the name of the state high school equivalency diploma, formerly known as the general education development (GED) program, to the Excelsior diploma.

Enacts the "packaging reduction and recycling infrastructure act" to require companies selling, offering for sale, or distributing packaging materials and products to register with a packaging reduction organization to develop a packaging reduction and recycling plan; makes related provisions.

Directs the office of children and family services to establish a center for fatherhood initiatives to issue grants to initiatives regarding the promotion and advancement of fatherhood, including but not limited to all underserved fatherhood groups to help expand opportunities to improve parenting knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the mileage fees that New York City sheriffs receive for services performed entirely within the city. Under the new provisions, sheriffs would be paid forty dollars in advance per mile instead of the current thirty dollars, with the fee set to rise to forty-five dollars one year after the law takes effect. The legislation applies specifically to the New York City Sheriff's Office and does not affect other law enforcement agencies or private citizens. The changes are scheduled to become effective thirty days after the bill is signed into law.

Requires Medicaid to cover gender-affirming care regardless of federal funding; prohibits discriminatory practices by health care entities including hospitals, certain professionals, and insurers; requires insurance coverage for services or treatments for gender dysphoria or gender incongruence.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the possession and sale of pistol converters and convertible pistols. It defines a "convertible pistol" as a semi-automatic pistol with a specific trigger bar design that can be easily converted into a machine-gun using common household tools (like screwdrivers or pliers), excluding most modern firearms. The law makes selling or disposing of such pistols a class D felony, with limited exceptions for military personnel, police officers, and licensed gun dealers acting within their duties. The bill directly affects gun owners, sellers, and manufacturers by banning these specific devices and firearms.