Asm. Misha Novakhov

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Civil Service Law to remove the maximum age limit of 35 for hiring municipal police officers. It allows individuals older than 35 to apply for police positions, provided they meet other merit and fitness requirements. The change also extends the maximum hiring age to 39 for certain situations where eligible lists are exhausted and no other candidates are available. Additionally, the legislation includes specific exceptions for applicants with up to six years of military service and those with prior employment at the Buffalo municipal housing authority. The new rules would take effect approximately 180 days after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public employees, including those in state agencies, school districts, and municipalities, to take paid time off to work as election poll workers. Under the new rules, eligible workers can request up to eight hours of leave per year for this purpose without it counting against their other vacation or sick days. The legislation also gives officials the authority to set specific guidelines for how employees must request and get approval for this time. Additionally, the bill ensures that these new provisions do not override any existing collective bargaining agreements or labor rights.

Relates to the classification of the drug xylazine as a schedule I controlled substance, and to the criminal sale and possession of xylazine or preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances containing xylazine.

Extends the maximum number of months for the reconsideration of denied applications by the parole board for parole for certain violent felony offenses from 24 months to 60 months.

Establishes the "Not on our dollar!: Ending New York funding of Hamas violence act" to prohibit not-for-profit corporations from engaging in unauthorized support of Hamas and nations known to fund middle-eastern terrorist group activity; allows for recovery of a civil penalty by the state attorney general; creates a private right of action for violations.

Enacts the "New York wildlife crossing act"; directs the department of transportation and the New York state thruway authority to identify sites along all highways, thruways and parkways in the state where wildlife crossings are most needed to increase public safety and improve habitat connectivity and create a priority list of wildlife opportunity areas where federal grant monies may be available to implement the top five projects identified.

Creates an after-school challenge program to provide schools with up to $50,000 in matching funds for resources raised in private donations to support after-school programs which are curriculum based or community service programs.

Authorizes the board of education of any school district in the state to enter into a contract for the sale of advertising space on school athletic fields owned or leased by the school district; prohibits advertisements for tobacco or alcohol products or for political advocacy; requires prior approval of all advertisements by the local board of education; provides that revenue be retained by the school district making such contract; provides provisions do not apply to cities with a population of one million or more.

Establishes the New York state school resource officer program; provides for grants for school resource officers (Part A); relates to peace officers who are retired police officers employed by a school district as a school resource officer (Part B); allows retired police officers to be employed by a school district as a school safety officer, school security officer or any other substantially similar position for an annual salary of $50,000 or less to continue to receive their full retirement benefit (Part C).

Relates to creating a school resource officer program to permit the employment of retired law enforcement officers and provide grants to school districts and non-public schools for such purpose.