Asm. Catalina Cruz

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for individuals who possess a weapon in subway stations, train stations, terminals, or on mass transit vehicles (like buses or trains) and use or attempt to use that weapon to commit another crime. It directly affects people carrying weapons in transit areas who escalate their actions to commit additional offenses. The key mechanism adds a new rule to the penal code, treating such weapon use in transit as a more serious crime (fourth-degree possession) rather than a lesser charge. The law applies to all public and private mass transit systems operating in these locations.

Establishes the universal child care act to provide for the establishment and funding of universal child care in the state of New York; establishes a universal child care taskforce to help implement universal child care in the state and repeals certain provisions of the social services law relating thereto; establishes the permanent child care workforce pay equity fund; establishes a universal child care public option pilot program to provide universal child care in at least twenty locations throughout the state; makes an appropriation therefor.

Provides voting membership to existing non-voting rider representatives on the MTA Board, provides for enhanced representation of MTA riders with disabilities.

Establishes the teachers' fossil fuel divestment act; requires the New York state teachers' retirement system to divest the retirement system of any stocks, securities, equities, assets, or other obligations of corporations or companies included on an exclusion list of coal producers and oil and gas producers.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals convicted of specific felonies from holding any civil office (such as elected or appointed government positions) for up to 10 years after conviction. It specifically bars office-holding for felonies listed in New York Penal Law articles 200, 496, or 195.20, or for felonies committed "through the use of" their office (e.g., under Penal Law article 215 or U.S. Code sections). For certain misdemeanors, it imposes a 5-year ban (extendable to 10 years under plea agreements involving felony charges). A certificate of relief from disabilities (e.g., a pardon) does not override this prohibition.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's education law to explicitly allow students to be absent from school for "mental or behavioral health" reasons, alongside existing permitted absences like religious observance. It directly affects minor students and their schools, ensuring mental health needs are recognized as a valid reason for absence without penalty. The key mechanism requires the state education commissioner to establish specific rules for how schools must handle such absences. The law does not create new requirements but formalizes existing practice under a clear policy framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases fines for violating public health laws. It raises penalties for nursing home and hospital operators from $3,000 to $5,000 per violation, with repeat offenses or violations causing harm now carrying up to $10,000 or $20,000 fines. Excess fines collected beyond $2,000 per violation go to a patient safety center, while nursing home fines over $10,000 fund quality improvement programs for nursing homes. The changes apply directly to healthcare facilities and their operators under New York's public health and social services laws.

Establishes the "protect our privacy (POP) act" to impose limitations on the use of drones for law enforcement purposes; prohibits the use of drones by law enforcement at concerts, protests, demonstrations, or other actions protected by the first amendment.

Establishes the reentry assistance program; provides for eligible incarcerated individuals to receive a monthly stipend upon release from a state correctional facility; makes an appropriation of $25,000,000.

Directs the commissioner of transportation to conduct a study on the implementation of traffic control devices at intersections with a high volume of visual and hearing impaired pedestrians.