Asm. Latrice Walker

Relates to returnable bottles; adds noncarbonated soft drinks, certain noncarbonated fruit or vegetable juices, coffee and tea beverages, carbonated fruit beverages and cider to the definition of "beverage"; provides that beginning April 1, 2027, the handling fee will be six cents for each beverage container accepted by a deposit initiator from a dealer or operator of a redemption center; directs the multi-agency bottle bill fraud investigation team to submit a report on findings of pervasive bottle redemption fraud in New York state.

Provides for a working families tax credit; directs quarterly prepayment of the credit; provides for a sliding reduction in the credit for incomes which exceed a certain threshold.

Establishes the New York Health program, a comprehensive system of access to health insurance for New York state residents; provides for administrative structure of the plan; provides for powers and duties of the board of trustees, the scope of benefits, payment methodologies and care coordination; establishes the New York Health Trust Fund which would hold monies from a variety of sources to be used solely to finance the plan; enacts provisions relating to financing of New York Health, including a payroll assessment, similar to the Medicare tax; establishes a temporary commission on implementation of the plan; provides for collective negotiations by health care providers with New York Health.

Maddy summaryThis bill significantly expands eligibility for judicial diversion programs, allowing individuals charged with a broader range of offenses to participate if they have a "qualifying diagnosis." This diagnosis includes serious mental disorders, other mental health disorders causing severe functional impairment, or substance use disorders. While most Class A felonies and Class B sexual offenses are generally excluded, the bill establishes a new "diversion part" in each county. It also redefines "treatment" within these programs to include evidence-based interventions outside of carceral settings.

Maddy summaryThis bill automatically registers eligible New York voters when they interact with designated state agencies (like the DMV, public housing authorities, or unemployment offices) if they consent, updating or creating voter records without requiring separate registration. It mandates that these agencies electronically share basic personal information (name, address, date of birth, and citizenship status) with election officials to maintain accurate voter rolls. The law requires agencies to remain neutral - never discouraging registration - and prohibits using citizenship data for purposes beyond voter registration. This affects all New York residents who use these state services and are eligible to vote, streamlining registration while protecting privacy.

Maddy summaryThe "Total Access to Menstrual Products (TAMP) Act" requires all female-designated and gender-neutral bathrooms in New York to provide free menstrual products - including sanitary napkins, tampons, and panty liners - to users. It directly affects workplaces (factories, mines, offices), public facilities (county/city buildings, state universities), hospitals, hotels, and transportation (railroad cars), mandating these products be available at no cost. Key provisions amend labor, public health, and municipal laws to standardize this requirement across all covered facilities. The law focuses on ensuring accessibility without cost, avoiding policy speculation or advocacy.

Relates to the menstrual product safety and research act and its creation of a research program to determine the risks posed from potential toxins in menstrual products.

Provides that bi-weekly salary installment payments and allowances shall not be withheld for members of the state legislature if the governor has submitted certain legislation which is not necessary for the effective implementation of the appropriation bill or bills and legislative passage of the budget has not occurred prior to the first day of any fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New York Civil Gideon Act," creating a right to free legal representation in specific civil cases for low-income New Yorkers facing issues like housing, family disputes, and health access. It directly affects vulnerable residents whose unmet legal needs often lead to homelessness, disrupted education, or worsened health outcomes. Key mechanisms include forming an 11-member commission to oversee implementation, designating legal services providers as the "lead agency" for referrals and eligibility, and requiring courts to partner with these agencies to ensure meaningful access to justice. The bill aims to address systemic gaps where 80% of low-income New Yorkers' civil legal needs currently go unmet.

Requires all public school districts, charter schools and non-public schools in the state that participate in the national school lunch program or school breakfast program as provided in the national child nutrition act to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to the student.