Asm. William Colton

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3982) creates a new class A misdemeanor for individuals aged 13 or older who fail to immediately report school safety threats they discover through social media, written, verbal, or electronic communications. It defines "school safety threats" broadly to include any statement or behavior indicating intent to harm students, staff, or school property, such as online posts. The law requires reporting via phone, email, or in person to law enforcement and excludes children under 13 or those with impaired judgment. Schools must also conduct annual training on these reporting requirements, and the state must develop education programs about the law.

Relates to compensation paid to persons employed in positions requiring foreign language skills; establishes career ladders for persons holding such positions; establishes supervisory positions for persons required to have foreign language skills.

Designates unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle in the third degree as a class E felony; designates unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle in the second degree as a class D violent felony offense; designates unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle in the first degree as a class B violent felony offense.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 4435) establishes the New York State Muslim American Advisory Council to advise the state legislature on policies affecting Muslim Americans. The 10-member council, appointed from community organizations and legislative leaders, will provide recommendations to improve civic participation, integration (socially, educationally, culturally, and economically), and communication between state agencies and Muslim communities. The council must submit an annual report with factual findings and recommendations to the legislature within 16 months of its creation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $1.2 billion permanent fund to improve wages and benefits for New York's childcare workforce. It directly affects licensed childcare providers that accept families using the state's Child Care Assistance Program, requiring them to use at least 75% of funds for direct caregivers (like teachers), 10% for administrators, and the rest for program quality or expansion. The fund mandates that providers meet a new minimum compensation scale (developed with worker input) aiming to align childcare wages with public school educators. The Office of Children and Family Services will distribute funds based on factors like serving high-need children, underserved communities, and enrollment, with annual reporting requirements.

Requires the return of all or a part of the financial assistance provided for a project where the project has material shortfalls or material violations; prevents the use of funds, financial incentives, subsidies or tax exemptions for projects already in development.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies property tax abatement rules to provide exemptions for households with a person with a disability. It sets specific income limits: $50,000 for general disability status, $29,000 for those receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or medical assistance, and federal SSI income thresholds for others. Households exceeding these limits lose eligibility for tax abatements. Municipalities with existing qualifying policies can continue using them without new legislation. (Note: The bill addresses property tax abatements, not rent increases, as clarified in the text.)

Relates to procedures relating to driving while ability impaired by drugs; defines impairment and intoxication; updates procedures for field testing of drivers suspected of being under the influence of drugs to include the use of oral/bodily fluid tests; provides that refusal to submit to such field tests is specified to be a traffic infraction; makes related provisions.

Requires the reinstatement of certain officers and employees of the city of New York who were dismissed from employment due to a COVID-19 vaccine requirement including retirees, vested members and members terminated without a one-year limit on return.

Creates an adult high school workforce development demonstration project in Rochester; defines "adult high school workforce development demonstration project" or "program" to mean a private or independent high school registered by the department which provides adult learners with an appropriate academic environment, career credentialing programs and access to wraparound services provided by the operator or any entity partnered which such operator to address barriers to enable adult learners to pursue and obtain, subject to satisfactory completion of the requirements set forth within this article, a high school diploma.