Asm. Stefani Zinerman

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution designates March 16, 2025, as "Black Press Day" to honor the history of Black-owned newspapers, beginning with Freedom's Journal (founded March 16, 1827). It recognizes the Black Press's role in advocating for civil rights, documenting social justice movements, and providing critical coverage on issues like racial injustice and voting rights. The resolution directs New York State legislators to formally acknowledge this day and send copies to six New York-based Black newspapers, including the New York Amsterdam News and The Buffalo Criterion. It does not create new laws or provide funding, serving solely as a symbolic gesture of recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2432) amends New York's warehouse worker injury reduction program to specifically target work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), affecting warehouse employers and workers performing manual materials handling. It defines MSDs broadly to include conditions caused by ergonomic risks like repetitive motions, forceful exertions, or extreme postures, and establishes "competent persons" (e.g., ergonomists or safety professionals) to conduct workplace evaluations. Employers must implement injury reduction programs including annual worksite evaluations identifying MSD risks, incorporating worker input, and making evaluation results available to workers within one business day. The law requires employers to correct identified risks promptly or provide a timeline, with mandatory board-certified ergonomist reviews if workers raise material concerns. The bill became law on February 14, 2025 (SIGNED CHAP.68).

Requires operating manuals for micromobility devices, bicycles with electric assist and limited use motorcycles powered by lithium-ion batteries, and lithium-ion batteries intended for use in such devices.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts certain harmful chemicals in menstrual products sold in New York State. It prohibits manufacturers from intentionally adding specific substances like lead, mercury, formaldehyde, phthalates, and PFAS (a class of chemicals including Teflon-like compounds) to products such as tampons, pads, and menstrual cups. Starting immediately upon the bill's effective date (12 months after enactment), these chemicals cannot be added as intentional ingredients, with future safety thresholds for remaining traces to be set by health and environmental agencies by 2029. The law applies to all distributors and sellers of menstrual products within New York.

Maddy summaryAssembly Resolution 97 requests Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 2-8, 2025, as Burn Awareness Week in New York State, aligning with National Burn Awareness Week. The resolution highlights statistics on burn injuries - such as 398,000 people receiving medical care for burns in 2021 and children under 15 accounting for one-third of injuries - to emphasize the need for public education on prevention. It specifically promotes home safety measures like testing smoke alarms and securing flammable items to reduce burn risks, particularly for vulnerable groups. This procedural resolution does not create new law but seeks to increase statewide awareness through the Governor’s official proclamation.

Updates requirements for retail worker employers when developing and implementing programs to prevent workplace violence; clarifies certain provisions of the retail worker safety act.

Relates to payroll records submitted by contractors and sub-contractors for public work contracts; extends the date the department of labor shall be required to develop and implement an online database of electronic certified payroll records until December 31, 2025; provides that the submission of certain electronic records shall satisfy certain requirements relating to the submission of payroll records.

Requires a report on individuals who are the primary caregiver for an older adult, including the number of individuals who are primary caregivers for an older adult, the average age of a primary caregiver, the cost to an individual to provide care to an older adult, and the economic value and savings to the state of such individual's services.

Enacts the "community financial services access and modernization act"; modernizes existing statute to reflect the full scope of financial services available at neighborhood "check cashing" establishments; provides for a comprehensive regulatory framework for the delivery of the expanded financial services currently being offered.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York state-owned parking facilities with at least 50 spaces to install electric vehicle charging stations in a percentage of spots ranging from 10% to 20%, depending on the facility's total size. The Office of General Services is tasked with installing and maintaining these stations, which must meet specific electrical capacity standards, and is authorized to hire licensed electricians if upgrades to the power system are needed. The law applies to public, employee, and pay-per-use parking areas and would have taken effect on April 1 of the following year. However, the bill was vetoed by the Governor in December 2024 and subsequently tabled, meaning it did not become law.