Asm. Jo Anne Simon

Enables public libraries to access employment preparation education (EPE) funds to provide adult literacy education; sets aside one million dollars to be awarded through a competitive grant process; provides that half of such appropriation shall be set aside for libraries serving a population of one million or more.

Provides for the protection of the air quality at licensed day care centers and head start day care centers funded pursuant to federal law; requires the office of children and family services to consult with the commissioners of environmental conservation and health regarding the air quality and environmental hazards that may be involved with any new day care center or head start day care center; requires such office to consult with the department of health if any new environmental or environmental health hazard arises.

Establishes the green transition authority to promote the transition of the for-hire vehicle and other state industries to environmentally sustainable practices and increase universal accessibility of for-hire vehicles, paratransit services, and taxi services statewide; establishes a for-hire vehicle improvement surcharge for each for-hire transportation trip conducted in a transportation network company vehicle or by a high-volume for-hire service; makes an appropriation therefor.

Requires instruction in civic education for grades 5 through 12 including instruction on the NYS constitution; federal, state and local government; civic literacy; methods of public participation; and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

Permits award of crime victim assistance funds to victims of overdoses, where such overdoses cause death and were the result of deception, surreptitious delivery, or third-party administration of a controlled substance.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands existing consumer financial protections to small businesses by amending key laws. It defines a "small business" as an in-state, independently owned entity with 100 or fewer employees that isn't dominant in its field. The law now allows small businesses to recover **twice the interest paid** if lenders charge usurious rates (exceeding legal limits), under sections of the general obligations law and banking law. These changes directly affect small businesses in New York state seeking relief from excessive interest charges on loans. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Enacts the "election workers and polling places protection act" to protect poll watchers, election officials, voters and physical property being used as a polling place or by the board of elections.

Establishes an assumption of the inadmissibility of evidence of a defendant's creative or artistic expression against such defendant in a criminal proceeding; requires the proffering party to affirmatively prove that the evidence is admissible by clear and convincing evidence.

Expands eligibility for the New York state excelsior scholarship award to certain applicants enrolled on a part-time basis or in a BOCES or other approved vocational program; provides criteria for eligibility, and limits on amounts and durations for any such awards.

Establishes a joint commission on public transparency and sexual harassment to adopt, amend and rescind rules and regulations defining sexual harassment for state agencies, offices, and branches of government and develop recommendations for the uniform distribution of such definitions and policies, and to receive complaints and referrals alleging violations by certain state officials.