Asm. Catalina Cruz

Maddy summaryThis bill allows students in New York State schools to earn physical education credits by completing state-approved lifeguard certification training courses. It requires the Board of Regents to create rules enabling these courses to count toward the mandatory physical education requirements. The policy directly affects high school students who complete approved lifeguard training programs, potentially reducing the need for separate physical education classes. The change applies only to courses meeting state standards for lifeguard certification, not general physical education instruction.

Enacts the "New York state agency BIPOC asset management and financial institution strategy act" to ensure the promotion of equity, diversity, and inclusion within the state pension system and the New York city pension system's investments by mandating a minimum allocation of assets to BIPOC asset managers, BIPOC financial institutions, and BIPOC financial or professional service firms; addresses disparities in investment opportunities and fosters economic growth within BIPOC communities, aligning with best practices in investment management and bolstering the financial well-being of New York City and state and residents thereof (Part A); relates to fair investment practices by investment advisers within the state of New York (Part B).

Provides for a personal income tax deduction for student loan payments not in excess of five thousand dollars; excludes any payment not in excess of five thousand dollars made by an employer, employee, or on behalf of an employee that is directly deducted from the employee's wages through payroll and administered by a third-party platform that facilitates direct payments to educational institutions or related loan servicers on behalf of students such amount from an employee's New York state gross income; further excludes any contribution not to exceed five thousand dollars to a tuition program under section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code made through payroll deduction and facilitated by an employer or a third-party platform that facilitates direct payments to such programs on behalf of employees from the employee's New York state gross income.

Requires health insurance policies to offer full coverage for annual testing for ovarian cancer; requires certain health care providers offer annual testing for ovarian cancer.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes an additional tax on New York residents' long-term investment profits, specifically targeting income from capital gains, dividends, and other low-taxed investments. It applies to higher earners: individuals with taxable income over $400,000 (or $500,000 for married couples filing jointly) face a 7.5% tax on capital gains above those thresholds, with a higher 15% rate kicking in above $800,000 (or $1 million for couples). The tax phases in gradually over the first $50,000 or $100,000 of income exceeding the thresholds. It functions as an add-on to existing income tax, not a replacement, and will be administered by New York’s tax department.

Enacts the "Empowering People in Rights Enforcement (EMPIRE) Worker Protection Act"; relates to the delegation of state enforcement authority to private actors; authorizes an affected employee, whistleblower, representative organization or an organizational deputy to initiate a public enforcement action on behalf of the commissioner for certain provisions of the labor law, or any regulation promulgated thereunder.

Prohibits police and other governmental entities from creating fake electronic communication service accounts, or from collecting or using an individual's account information; establishes a private right of action for a violation of such provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits landlords, lessors, sub-lessors, and grantors from requiring tenants to pay broker fees. It directly affects residential tenants by preventing landlords from charging them for brokerage services related to lease applications or tenancy. The law allows landlords to still charge for background and credit checks, but bans all other upfront fees like broker commissions. Exceptions apply to certain senior living communities and cooperative housing corporations under specific conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires lenders to accept and promptly apply mortgage payments received at specified locations and in designated methods, even when relying on a payoff statement. It mandates that lenders provide a satisfaction of mortgage within 30-90 days after full payment (with escalating penalties for delays) and deliver the original note and mortgage documents to borrowers. These provisions directly affect borrowers who pay off mortgages and lenders who manage mortgage records. The key change streamlines the process for finalizing mortgage discharge, replacing vague requirements with specific timelines and documentation rules.

Authorizes the department of transportation to establish and implement a state memorial sign program to memorialize persons who died due to injuries sustained in a fatal motor vehicle crash on state highways.