Asm. Latrice Walker

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the homestead exemption value - protecting primary residences from creditor claims - from $150,000 to $250,000 in New York City boroughs, Queens, and several other counties (including Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester). It sets lower caps of $125,000 for counties like Dutchess and Albany, and $75,000 for remaining counties. Property exceeding these limits remains exempt from judgment liens only up to the new cap, with surplus value subject to creditor claims. The change directly affects homeowners in New York State who own their primary residence and face civil judgments.

Enacts the "fair college admissions act"; prohibits legacy admissions policies at colleges and universities in New York; declares such policies and practices to be discriminatory and inequitable.

Lowers the voting age to 16 years; requires that students receive education in civics and be given the opportunity to register to vote in the classroom.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires courts to provide at least three different date and time options for drivers who plead not guilty to traffic infractions. It applies directly to individuals charged with traffic violations who choose to contest the ticket rather than pay it. The key provision mandates that courts notify these drivers via mail with a range of available court dates, replacing a single fixed date. Additionally, the bill prevents courts from issuing arrest warrants for missing a court date until the driver has been notified of a new date via certified mail and fails to appear.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes possessing a flamethrower a class E felony under New York law. It defines a "flamethrower" as any device projecting burning fuel at least three feet, excluding inoperable displays. The law specifically excludes historical flamethrowers (built before 1966 with at least five significant pre-1966 components), those used for agriculture/construction, and flamethrowers owned before the law takes effect. It does not ban manufacturing or restoring components, only possession of active devices meeting the definition. The law takes effect 120 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal framework for safe injection sites in New York, creating a program approved by the Department of Health to provide overdose prevention services. It directly affects people who use drugs (participants), community health organizations operating the sites, and local communities through designated locations. Key provisions require sites to offer sterile equipment, overdose monitoring, naloxone access, referrals to treatment, and language-accessible education, while mandating annual reporting on participant numbers and services. The bill also provides legal immunity from arrest or penalties for participants, staff, and property owners who follow approved protocols, ensuring these sites operate without criminal or civil liability.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the Long Island Rail Road's existing weekend reduced fare program to include East New York station. It requires the LIRR to provide the same reduced weekend fare for all trips between East New York station and other locations within New York City (e.g., traveling to or from Manhattan, Queens, or Brooklyn), eliminating current exclusions. The key provision mandates that the reduced fare applies regardless of starting or ending points within NYC, ensuring commuters don’t lose the benefit due to route crossings into Nassau County. The change applies only to weekend travel (12:01 AM Saturday to 11:59 AM Sunday) and takes effect January 1 following enactment.

Enacts The New Deal for CUNY; increases the ratio of faculty and mental health counselors to full-time students; requires that certain amounts of tuition be replaced by federal, state, and city funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York's Department of Corrections to submit an annual report by March 31 each year (starting in 2026) to state legislative leaders and specific committee chairs. The report must detail every death of an incarcerated individual in state facilities, including cause of death, personal details (age, race, gender), circumstances, and an analysis of mortality trends compared to historical data. For deaths resulting from suicide or other specified causes, the department must also provide a preliminary report within seven days and a final report after the investigation concludes. This establishes a standardized process for transparency and data collection on mortality in correctional facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in New York to cover specific pre-term labor care. It mandates coverage for home nursing visits to monitor expectant mothers diagnosed with pre-term labor (between 20-36 weeks of pregnancy), administration of Makena medication by nurses, and counseling services for emotional support. These services are required for individuals who have experienced pre-term labor, miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss within a month of birth. The law applies to all health insurance policies providing hospital, surgical, or medical coverage, directly affecting insurers and pregnant people with these specific needs.