Asm. Jo Anne Simon

Relates to increased participation in state contracts and subcontracts by certified minority and women-owned business enterprises; requires quarterly reports from contracting agencies; addresses consequences if contracting agency fails to comply with reporting requirements; relates to certain performance and payment bond requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes licensing requirements for professionals working on fire suppression systems (like sprinkler systems) to ensure public safety. It creates a state board to oversee exams and enforce standards, requiring all workers (except public employees of certain employers and those in exempt counties) to hold a valid sprinkler fitter license, apprentice permit, or helper permit. The law defines "authorized work" to include installation, maintenance, and repair, and specifies minimum training and experience standards. Its primary goal is to prevent unsafe work by mandating qualified personnel, directly affecting contractors, installers, and inspectors in the fire suppression industry.

Requires the department of health to review claims for expenditures for early and periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment and other health services, care and supplies which are furnished to eligible children and pre-school children regardless of whether such children have handicapping conditions, are suspected of having handicapping conditions or have an individualized education plan; requires the department of health to apply for all necessary federal approvals regarding such expenditures.

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.

Maddy summaryBill A 5372 requires hotels, motels, public restrooms, and public buildings in New York to display domestic violence awareness signage in restrooms and guest areas. The signage must provide information about domestic violence services in English, Spanish, and other languages determined by the state office, placed visibly on restroom mirrors or doors. Entities must comply with placement rules, and the office can enforce this during building inspections or after receiving complaints. Non-compliant entities must correct violations or provide proof of error, with the state supplying signage if needed.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires county election boards (and New York City's board) to prepare detailed reports before each election. The reports must list all assigned election inspectors and poll clerks, specifically identify any unassigned poll sites, and document efforts made to fill those vacancies. Boards must submit these reports to the state election board at least one month prior to the election. The bill aims to improve transparency in staffing for polling locations by mandating this standardized reporting process.

Enacts the "voting integrity and verification act of New York (VIVA NY)"; provides that each voter is entitled to the use of an individual, voter verifiable paper ballot of the voter's vote and the opportunity to mark it.

Relates to imposing a school impact tax on developers of non-senior housing developments to be used for the construction of new public kindergarten through twelfth grade schools.

Relates to the former crime of loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense; expunges criminal records for persons previously convicted of such crime; directs the chief administrator of the courts to provide information regarding such expungement; adds language to identify that the crime of loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense is no longer in law.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the New York State Office of Gun Violence Prevention and a Gun Violence Advisory Council. The office will coordinate state, local, and federal efforts to prevent gun violence, centralize grant funding, improve data collection on firearm injuries, and run public education campaigns. It requires an annual report to the governor and legislature on gun violence trends and prevention strategies. The advisory council, including survivors, healthcare providers, community leaders, and law enforcement, must advise the office quarterly. The bill directly affects all New Yorkers by establishing a dedicated state agency focused on data-driven prevention and community collaboration.