Asm. Jo Anne Simon

Enacts "local control for speed limits"; authorizes cities, villages, and towns to adjust the speed limit to lower than fifty-five miles per hour, but not less than twenty-five miles per hour, for portions of state highways that are particularly dangerous.

Establishes the child victims act fund which provides grant awards in reimbursement to public school districts and voluntary foster care agencies located within the state who have been named as defendants in certain child sexual abuse legal cases and in which it can be demonstrated by the public school district or voluntary foster care agency that no insurance policy for the covered period can be located after a good-faith effort to do so has been made, there was a monetary judgment issued or settlement agreement with regard to such action and where it can be demonstrated by the public school district or voluntary foster care agency that payment in full of such judgment or settlement would put a substantial burden on the district's or agency's ability to execute its mission and negatively impact its existing student population.

Directs the department of social services to establish a refugee resettlement program with the goals of achieving economic and social self-sufficiency, assisting victims of human trafficking, and assuring proper foster care for unaccompanied refugees.

Provides for the temporary surrender of firearms to the police by any person who is taken into custody by the police for the purpose of a mental examination and prior to an examination ordered pursuant to article seven hundred thirty of the criminal procedure law; requires a "cooling off period" following the discharge from psychiatric care during which time firearms, which came into police custody during the person's pre-hospitalization intervention or during hospitalization, may be kept in police custody for thirty days, or after a psychiatric examiner has determined whether the person is a threat to themself or others; provides that a judge of the local jurisdiction may order an early return of the firearms if such judge determines that it would be appropriate to do so.

Eliminates provisions exempting employees with disabilities from the minimum wage law; provides that laws or minimum wage orders that authorize an employer to pay a wage that is less than the minimum wage are valid provided that under such laws or orders an employee with a disability is paid the same wage as an employee in a comparable position that does not have a disability.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires retailers to clearly label specific perishable and packaged foods with two dates: a "safety date" (indicating the last safe consumption date) and a "quality date" (indicating the last recommended consumption date). It applies to common products like eggs, high-moisture baked goods (e.g., breads, cakes), dairy items (e.g., yogurt, cheese, milk), and other refrigerated foods. Retailers must display both dates on the container, and state health and agriculture officials will create detailed rules for how these labels appear. The law takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Directs the office of information technology services to establish a gun violence alert system to be added to the emergency alert notification system, known as alert.ny.gov or NY-Alert to provide real-time warnings and emergency information pertaining to gun violence to citizens of New York State.

Relates to the transparency and quality of care of operators of adult care facilities; requires certain applicants for adult care facilities to provide an opportunity for public comment on the application.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1724, "Hunger-Free Campus Act") creates a grant program to address student food insecurity at public colleges and universities. It requires qualifying campuses to meet specific standards - including establishing student-inclusive task forces, providing SNAP enrollment assistance, operating food pantries, and hosting awareness events - to earn "hunger-free campus" designation. Public institutions meeting these criteria receive competitive grants to fund food security initiatives like meal vouchers, pantry access, and SNAP outreach. The program mandates annual student hunger surveys and requires a two-year report to state leaders detailing grant usage, student impacts, and recommendations for future funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows tenants in rental agreements for one year or longer to pay security deposits in up to six equal monthly installments, rather than as a single upfront payment. Landlords cannot charge extra fees or interest for this installment option, and rental agreements must clearly state the total deposit amount and each installment amount. The law applies to security deposits, advances, or non-refundable fees used as down payments for rental properties. Violations by landlords could result in civil fines up to 15% of the annual rent.