Asm. Jo Anne Simon

Requires employers to submit an affirmative acknowledgement of implementing a sexual harassment prevention policy which meets or exceeds the minimum standards upon the completion of the employer's annual training or the training of a newly hired employee.

Relates to releasing individuals charged with a crime under non-monetary bail conditions in order to receive mental health screening or be admitted to a hospital as a result of a mental illness which is likely to result in harm to such individual or others.

Prohibits a cause of action for defamation where the subject of such action includes an allegation made to an employer regarding an unlawful discriminatory practice or act of retaliation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 7143) requires election boards to provide voting information in Haitian Creole, directly affecting Haitian Creole-speaking voters. It mandates that election websites offer the same content in Haitian Creole as in other languages, and that boards distribute a citywide booklet containing: voter registration forms with Haitian Creole instructions, absentee ballot application details in Haitian Creole, and general voter FAQs in Haitian Creole. The booklet must include specific forms and instructions, though boards may also include other languages. The law takes effect January 1 following its enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits discrimination based on housing status, defined as lacking a fixed residence (including homelessness), living in shelters, or in transitional housing like temporary shelters or safe havens. It adds "housing status" to New York State's anti-discrimination laws, protecting individuals from bias in employment, housing, and public accommodations. The bill updates existing legal provisions to include this category and requires state agencies to enforce these protections. It also mandates that advisory councils and human rights plans address discrimination related to housing status.

Prohibits fraudulent absentee ballot drop-off boxes or receptacles by making it a felony for anyone other than the board of elections to erect, display or maintain an absentee ballot drop-off box or receptacle.

Prohibits the department of environmental conservation from issuing or authorizing any permits to new or expanding large concentrated animal feeding operations.

Establishes the homeless protection act which designates certain offenses against homeless persons as hate crimes; includes the definition of homelessness.

Increases the handling fee paid by a deposit initiator to a dealer or operator of a redemption center from three and one half cents to five cents per container; decreases the amount of quarterly payments a deposit initiator must pay the commissioner of taxation and finance from eighty to forty-seven percent of the balance of initiator's refund value account; provides for registration as a redemption center.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits foreign-influenced business entities from contributing to or spending on New York state and local elections. It defines "foreign-influenced" as businesses where foreign owners hold ≥1% of shares (single owner) or ≥5% (multiple owners), or where foreign entities influence political decisions. Businesses making election-related spending must file a certification signed by their CEO confirming they meet the criteria. Violations carry felony charges and civil penalties, directly affecting businesses with significant foreign ownership and election committees receiving such funds.