Asm. Maritza Davila

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1471, the "Tiarah Poyau Act") amends criminal procedure law to allow courts to provide juries with written instructions about the legal elements of offenses or defenses when requested during deliberations. It requires courts to give written instructions only after letting defense and prosecution attorneys review them, mark them as exhibits, and read them to the jury. The bill directly affects juries and judges in criminal trials by changing how juries can seek clarification on legal standards. It does not alter trial procedures but adds a specific mechanism for written jury instruction requests with safeguards for legal review.

Relates to creating a separate tax on inheritance income, creating a separate tax on gift income, the computation of the estate tax, and creating a gift tax.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 402) requires housing authorities in cities with over one million residents to establish ethics rules for resident councils. It mandates that all council officers complete ethics training and submit conflict-of-interest forms to the housing authority. The authority must make these forms publicly available online (with personal details removed) and create formal ethics plans for councils. The law applies directly to tenant and resident associations in large cities and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a lifetime ban preventing people convicted of felonies from serving on juries. It amends state law to no longer disqualify individuals based on past felony convictions, meaning former felons could be summoned for jury duty. However, it maintains that people currently incarcerated for felonies remain excused from service while in prison. The law would take effect 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryBill A 8056 establishes state liability for damages suffered by individuals due to defects, such as potholes, on state highways maintained by the state. This means a person can seek compensation if they are harmed by such a defect. A key provision is that the state must have received actual or constructive notice of the defect for liability to apply. However, the bill specifies that the state is not liable for defects in bridges it does not control, and its liability within incorporated villages is limited to the state-maintained portion of the roadway.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two key protections for railroad employees working for state-run railroads: (1) requiring employers to provide light duty assignments during pregnancy (with full pay and benefits maintained), and (2) creating paid parental leave benefits (67% of average weekly wage, up to 12 weeks annually) for bonding with newborns or adopted children within the first year. Eligibility begins after 26 consecutive weeks of employment (or 175 days for part-time workers), with benefits payable starting on the 14th day of leave. The law applies to all railroad employees covered under state authority operations and explicitly preserves existing collective bargaining agreements. It takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates environmental conservation law regarding amphibians and reptiles. It redefines "small game" to exclude most native frogs (except bullfrogs), native salamanders, native lizards, and native snakes (except common snapping turtles). These species are instead added to the definition of "protected wildlife," subjecting them to different conservation measures. The bill also clarifies that only bullfrogs and common snapping turtles remain under specific regulations for taking, with the department determining the methods for bullfrogs.

Provides for the revocation of a person's driver's license who has been convicted of operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a minimum five-year duration for orders of protection in all domestic violence cases, replacing previous shorter timeframes. It requires courts to explicitly state findings of aggravating circumstances on the record when extending orders beyond the minimum period. The legislation applies to both civil family court orders (under the Family Court Act) and criminal sentencing orders (under the Criminal Procedure Law). Key provisions prevent courts from denying extensions solely because abuse hasn't occurred during the order's term and mandate that courts articulate their reasoning for duration decisions. The bill also clarifies that temporary orders don't affect the length of final orders.

Establishes procedures regarding orders of post-termination visitation and/or contact between a child and such child's parent and for modification of such orders.