Relates to protecting the communication rights of individuals with disabilities; provides that each person with a disability has the right to communicate in their preferred manner.
Maddy summaryThis bill removes citizenship as a requirement for holding most state public offices in New York. It specifically deletes the phrase "a citizen of the United States" from the qualifications listed in the public officers law, meaning non-citizens who meet other requirements (like residency and age) could potentially serve. The change applies broadly, except where other laws specifically require citizenship for certain roles. All other existing qualifications - such as age, residency, and criminal record checks - remain in effect.
Enacts the "fair pay for home care act" relating to minimum wages applicable to home care aides; provides for a minimum wage of 150% of the applicable statewide or regional minimum wage.
Enacts the "local, community and ethnic media commitment act"; requires state agencies to publish certain information in local, community and ethnic media; defines local, community and ethnic media; requires the office of general services to develop and maintain a list of local, community and ethnic media outlets.
Establishes Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as school holidays, with dates established by religious law and tradition; allows for school districts and municipalities with a population of less than fifty thousand to opt into the recognition of such holidays.
Directs the state commission of correction to promulgate rules and regulations for strip searches in correctional facilities which at a minimum include a requirement that no fewer than two staff members shall be present for any strip search.
Prohibits the use of weaponized robots, non-weaponized robots which may potentially cause injury, or robots being used for surveillance purposes by police agencies.
Enacts the "faith-based affordable housing act" for development on residential land; defines terms; provides that each village, town, and city shall allow the construction and occupation of residential buildings on any covered site up to the specified densities; provides that all residential buildings constructed pursuant to this section in a town, village, or city with fewer than one million inhabitants shall set aside twenty percent of the residential floor area for households earning an average of eighty percent of area median income; outlines the densities for New York city; makes related provisions.
Maddy summaryThis bill changes New York's parole process by requiring the state board of parole to consider specific factors before granting release. It mandates evaluation of rehabilitation efforts (like programs, therapy, and work assignments), release plans (including housing, jobs, and support services), and deportation status, while prohibiting decisions based mainly on victim statements or prior criminal records. Parole denials must include detailed written explanations, and the board must report quarterly to lawmakers with demographic data on denied cases (excluding individual identities). These changes aim to standardize parole decisions and increase transparency.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new role for court-appointed advocates to represent animals' interests in legal cases involving animal welfare, such as cruelty or neglect proceedings. Courts may appoint these advocates from a list maintained by the chief judge, who would monitor cases, access relevant records (like veterinary or animal control reports), and provide the court with recommendations based on the animal's well-being. The advocate cannot subpoena evidence or conduct discovery but may attend hearings and share information with attorneys. This directly affects animals in legal cases and requires courts to implement this process when requested or initiated.
