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.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits employers, educational institutions, and other organizations from requiring individuals to submit copies of their own criminal history records obtained from the Division of Criminal Justice Services. By removing this requirement, the legislation aims to reduce barriers for people seeking licenses, jobs, or enrollment in schools who have already undergone the official background check process. The law also strengthens existing protections against discrimination based on criminal convictions by establishing a legal presumption that excludes prior incarceration records from evidence in negligence lawsuits. These changes take effect approximately 120 days after the bill becomes law, ensuring a transition period for affected entities to adjust their hiring and admission procedures.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changing the state constitution to allow the legislature to adjust the number of Supreme Court justices in each judicial district based on population. Under the new rules, the number of justices could be increased if a district's population grows, with a limit of one justice for every fifty thousand people, or decreased if the population shrinks, provided the total does not fall below the current authorized number. The amendment also clarifies that judges from specific county courts in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island would serve as Supreme Court justices within their respective districts. Because this change requires a constitutional amendment, the bill must be published for three months before the next general election and approved by voters.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows towns and villages to set a new rule requiring their local justices to be licensed attorneys. Under the proposed change, a local government would need to vote by a majority to adopt this requirement, which would apply to anyone serving as a justice after the next election following the law's passage. The bill does not force every community to adopt this rule but gives them the option to raise the educational and professional standards for their judicial officers. It takes effect on January 1st of the year after the bill becomes law.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance policies to cover transvaginal ultrasounds when they are medically necessary and recommended by established clinical guidelines. The law defines these guidelines as evidence-based recommendations created by independent medical organizations using transparent methods and conflict-of-interest policies. It applies to pregnancy care provided under insurance plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The changes directly affect pregnant individuals seeking this specific type of ultrasound and the insurance companies that must provide coverage for it.
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.
Enacts the "keep police radio public act"; ensures that, except for sensitive information, all radio communications are accessible to emergency services organizations and professional journalists.
Prohibits the sale of certain products that contain regulated perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances; requires manufacturers of products containing PFAS to provide notice of such fact to persons that offer the products for sale or distribution; provides penalties for violations.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for handling abandoned vehicles by raising the monetary threshold for immediate seizure and ownership transfer to local authorities from one thousand dollars to three thousand dollars. The change applies specifically to vehicles without license plates that are valued at three thousand dollars or less based on their wholesale worth and current condition. Under the new provisions, local governments can immediately take title to these vehicles without needing to go through a longer process, provided the cars are not being sold as junk, dismantled for parts, or destroyed. The legislation also clarifies that this immediate transfer of ownership does not apply if the vehicle is intended for salvage or other non-operational disposal.
Establishes through the department of health, in conjunction with the office of addiction services and supports, a drug checking services program to allow individuals to bring drugs or controlled substances and have them tested for contaminants, toxic substances, or hazardous compounds.
