Asm. Maritza Davila

Requires the New York city department of education to create more gifted and talented programs and classes in all school districts with elementary kindergarten through fifth grade and intermediate sixth through eighth grade with four or more classes per grade for students who shall gain entry through academic merit rather than through an admissions examination; authorizes automatic admission to a gifted and talented program in intermediate sixth through eighth grade for those students in elementary grades kindergarten through fifth grade who are currently enrolled in such program; makes related provisions.

Expands the powers of the New York state division of housing and community renewal and supervising agencies and modifies the obligations of certain New York state funded housing providers.

Relates to prevailing wage requirements applicable to public works and certain construction projects performed under private contract and paid for with public funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires transit authorities and their subsidiaries to ensure accessible buses (wheelchair-friendly) are available within a three-mile service area of any bus line. It mandates that 65% of all regularly operated buses must be accessible, achieved by requiring all newly purchased, leased, or brought-into-service buses (except those for temporary shortages) to be accessible until the 65% threshold is met. The law directly affects public transit agencies like the MTA, ensuring better access for transportation-disabled riders, including wheelchair users, on fixed-route bus services. Key provisions include the 65% accessibility target and the 3-mile service area requirement for accessible buses.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state-approved program for nonpartisan poll monitors in New York elections. Civic organizations (groups focused on voter education and election integrity) and ballot issue committees (groups promoting specific ballot measures) can appoint up to two monitors per polling place, but must first get approval from the State Board of Elections. To qualify, organizations must prove they've maintained a New York office for over a year, provide voter rights training materials, and have monitors sign a pledge to remain nonpartisan. The State Board must approve or deny applications 32-45 days before an election, with limited appeal options. The program aims to provide independent oversight of polling places while ensuring monitors follow strict neutrality rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires professional sports teams in New York to grant cheerleaders the same labor rights, benefits, and protections as other employees under state law. It directly affects cheerleaders who perform at professional sports games for teams based in the state, defining them as individuals doing acrobatics, dance, or similar promotional performances. The key provision mandates teams to provide these protections for all services related to the team, including performances during games. The bill does not create new benefits but extends existing labor law coverage to this specific workforce.

Establishes a tax credit for individuals who serve or are employed as a direct support professional, or direct care worker, up to five thousand dollars for taxpayers who make less than fifty thousand dollars and phased out for individuals who make over one hundred thousand dollars.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a requirement for workers with permanent partial disabilities to prove ongoing "labor market attachment" to receive ongoing compensation benefits. It directly affects injured workers who have been classified as permanently partially disabled due to work-related injuries. The key change eliminates the need for these claimants to demonstrate continued workforce engagement to maintain benefits, while keeping the existing compensation rate (66.67% of lost wages) and maximum benefit duration limits based on the severity of disability. The bill applies to cases with injury dates after the effective date of related 2017 legislation.

Prohibits accessing or distributing certain sexually explicit depictions of children; prohibits consent to such depictions by anyone under eighteen years of age; makes such crimes eligible for bail; includes certain crimes as sex offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a requirement that applicants must pass an exam to become a licensed master social worker in New York. It directly affects individuals seeking this specific license by removing the examination step from the qualification process. The key provision eliminates Section 7704(d) of the Education Law, which previously mandated the exam. As a result, applicants will no longer need to pass a test to qualify for the license, simplifying the licensing pathway. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.