Asm. William Colton

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2432) amends New York's warehouse worker injury reduction program to specifically target work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), affecting warehouse employers and workers performing manual materials handling. It defines MSDs broadly to include conditions caused by ergonomic risks like repetitive motions, forceful exertions, or extreme postures, and establishes "competent persons" (e.g., ergonomists or safety professionals) to conduct workplace evaluations. Employers must implement injury reduction programs including annual worksite evaluations identifying MSD risks, incorporating worker input, and making evaluation results available to workers within one business day. The law requires employers to correct identified risks promptly or provide a timeline, with mandatory board-certified ergonomist reviews if workers raise material concerns. The bill became law on February 14, 2025 (SIGNED CHAP.68).

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts certain harmful chemicals in menstrual products sold in New York State. It prohibits manufacturers from intentionally adding specific substances like lead, mercury, formaldehyde, phthalates, and PFAS (a class of chemicals including Teflon-like compounds) to products such as tampons, pads, and menstrual cups. Starting immediately upon the bill's effective date (12 months after enactment), these chemicals cannot be added as intentional ingredients, with future safety thresholds for remaining traces to be set by health and environmental agencies by 2029. The law applies to all distributors and sellers of menstrual products within New York.

Removes the requirement that a state call center contractor must hire employees of a former call center contractor whose contract is terminated unless provided in the contract; makes provisions of new law applicable only to the state and its public authorities or public benefit corporations.

Updates requirements for retail worker employers when developing and implementing programs to prevent workplace violence; clarifies certain provisions of the retail worker safety act.

Relates to claims for mental injury premised upon extraordinary work-related stress incurred at work, including claims for post-traumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder or major depressive disorder resulting from work-related stress when demonstrated that such disorder arose out of extraordinary work-related stress attributable to a distinct work-related event or events directly related to the employment and occurring during the performance of the employee's job duties; amends the effectiveness thereof.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new legal framework for nursing home operators in New York who wish to close their facilities. It requires operators to submit a detailed closure plan at least 90 days in advance, which must include steps for notifying residents, assessing their needs, and arranging transfers to alternative care settings. The plan must be approved by state health officials before any closure actions can begin, and operators are prohibited from raising fees or accepting new residents during the transition period. Additionally, the bill mandates that local officials and community boards review the proposed closure to ensure it is not motivated by unsafe conditions and that residents' medical records are preserved and accessible.

Requires the owner or operator of a vessel to establish and maintain with the department evidence of financial responsibility sufficient to meet the amount of liability.

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.

Enacts the tropical rainforest economic & environmental sustainability act requiring that companies contracting with the state do not contribute to tropical forest degradation or deforestation directly or through their supply chains; establishes the supply chain transparency assistance program to assist small and medium-sized businesses and minority and women-owned businesses in achieving compliant supply chains.

Directs that state agencies require that procurement of personal computing goods, services and solutions meet the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework.