Rep. Helene Weinstein

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formula for calculating state transportation aid for school districts based on expenditures made after 4 p.m. It directly affects school districts by setting specific funding limits for various school years, which increase annually until 2025, after which the funding amount is tied to personal income growth. The legislation defines a "base amount" derived from the 2012-2013 school year to serve as a reference point for these calculations and requires districts to maintain spending levels at least equal to that base amount. The changes take effect on July 1, 2025, or on the same date as a related 2024 law if that law has not yet taken effect by then.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the laws governing wrongful death lawsuits to clarify exactly what types of money can be awarded to the surviving family members of a deceased person. It explicitly allows juries or courts to grant compensation for funeral costs, medical bills incurred before death, grief, and the loss of financial support, guidance, and companionship. The legislation also defines who is eligible to receive these damages, including spouses, domestic partners, children, parents, and individuals who stood in a parent-like role to the deceased. Additionally, the bill sets specific rules for how the awarded money must be shared among eligible survivors based on their individual losses and outlines how legal fees and other expenses are handled.

Requires hospitals and residential health care facilities to implement a pressure ulcer prevention program; directs the commissioner of health to report on current reimbursement options to reduce pressure ulcers; provides for the establishment of a pressure ulcer prevention center of excellence.

Provides for expedited payments of abandoned property under a certain monetary threshold by the state comptroller pursuant to an abandoned property expedited payment program.

Requires town and village justices be admitted to the practice of law in this state and reside in the municipality in which the position is located; provides an exception to the requirement for currently serving justices; provides for the office of court administration to grant a waiver of the requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new rules for contracts involving the creation and use of digital replicas, which are defined as digital simulations of a person's voice or likeness that are indistinguishable from the real thing. It declares certain contract provisions void if they allow a company to use a digital replica to replace an individual's actual performance without a specific description of how the replica will be used. Additionally, the law protects individuals who were not represented by legal counsel or a labor union when signing these agreements, requiring clear and conspicuous terms in such cases. These requirements apply only to contracts entered into or modified on or after January 1, 2025, and do not affect other parts of existing agreements.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the state's abandoned property law to include energy services companies, which provide electricity or gas, alongside traditional utility providers. It ensures that unclaimed deposits, prepaid amounts for services not delivered, and refunds for overcharges held by these companies are treated as abandoned property after remaining unclaimed for two years. The legislation requires these companies to publish annual notices about unclaimed funds, file detailed reports with the state comptroller, and transfer the money to the state for distribution to rightful owners.

Relates to tax lien foreclosure; establishes senior, disabled, and veteran homeowner real property tax assistance program; establishes installment plans for certain real property taxes.

Enacts the "Consumer and Small business Protection Act"; relates to standing for persons affected by prohibited or unlawful business practices; expands prohibited acts to include unfair, deceptive or abusive acts.