Asm. Catalina Cruz

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum number of academic years students can receive tuition assistance under New York's program from four to six years. It directly affects undergraduate students enrolled in eligible degree programs at New York institutions. Key provisions include raising the limit to six years for standard programs, seven years for programs normally requiring five years, and four years for two-year programs. The change applies to all students receiving aid after the bill's effective date, extending their eligibility period for tuition support.

Eliminates provisions exempting employees with disabilities from the minimum wage law; provides that laws or minimum wage orders that authorize an employer to pay a wage that is less than the minimum wage are valid provided that under such laws or orders an employee with a disability is paid the same wage as an employee in a comparable position that does not have a disability.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires retailers to clearly label specific perishable and packaged foods with two dates: a "safety date" (indicating the last safe consumption date) and a "quality date" (indicating the last recommended consumption date). It applies to common products like eggs, high-moisture baked goods (e.g., breads, cakes), dairy items (e.g., yogurt, cheese, milk), and other refrigerated foods. Retailers must display both dates on the container, and state health and agriculture officials will create detailed rules for how these labels appear. The law takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1724, "Hunger-Free Campus Act") creates a grant program to address student food insecurity at public colleges and universities. It requires qualifying campuses to meet specific standards - including establishing student-inclusive task forces, providing SNAP enrollment assistance, operating food pantries, and hosting awareness events - to earn "hunger-free campus" designation. Public institutions meeting these criteria receive competitive grants to fund food security initiatives like meal vouchers, pantry access, and SNAP outreach. The program mandates annual student hunger surveys and requires a two-year report to state leaders detailing grant usage, student impacts, and recommendations for future funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows tenants in rental agreements for one year or longer to pay security deposits in up to six equal monthly installments, rather than as a single upfront payment. Landlords cannot charge extra fees or interest for this installment option, and rental agreements must clearly state the total deposit amount and each installment amount. The law applies to security deposits, advances, or non-refundable fees used as down payments for rental properties. Violations by landlords could result in civil fines up to 15% of the annual rent.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates a $10 one-time service charge for veterans applying for special license plates in New York. It directly affects veterans of the U.S. armed forces who currently pay this additional fee when requesting veterans-themed license plates. The bill removes the $10 charge from multiple sections of the vehicle and traffic law, while maintaining the standard registration fee. Veterans will no longer pay this extra fee for these plates, though regular registration costs remain unchanged. The change applies to all existing veterans' plate programs covered by the amended law.

Establishes the New York Teach Program conditional tuition waiver; requires participants to teach at hard to staff school districts for four years after graduation in order to have tuition waived in full for accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs in education.

Prohibits any cannabis related advertisements in establishments within a certain distance from schools; increases penalties for prohibited advertisement of tobacco and cannabis products; requires enforcement inspections.

Requires that for hire vehicles with a chassis which was manufactured and then altered for the purpose of transporting ten or more occupants, including the driver, be equipped with an operable carbon monoxide detector.

Defines the term "construction projects" to mean the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or improvement of any school building where a district receives any apportionment for debt service or building aid and the school building is sited within the Long Island region; provides that each contract involving the award of a construction project shall require the use of a project labor agreement for all contractors and subcontractors on such project.