Asm. Phara Souffrant Forrest

Protects individuals who provide or receive legally protected health activity, including reproductive health care and gender-affirming care, from criminal or civil liability or professional sanctions imposed by jurisdictions outside the state.

Requires the office of children and family services to provide luggage to youth in foster care; provides that such luggage shall be distributed to social services districts for distribution to foster care youth; requires the office of children and family services to submit an annual report to the governor and the legislature about the distribution of luggage to foster care youth.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits food stores and retail establishments from refusing cash payments for in-person transactions, with limited exceptions for cash payments over $20 or remote purchases (phone/mail/internet). It bans charging higher prices for cash payments compared to digital payments and imposes civil penalties of up to $1,000 for first violations, increasing to $1,500 for subsequent violations. Retailers must provide fee-free cash-to-prepaid card conversion devices with receipts, and if these devices malfunction, they must accept cash and display clear signage. The law applies to most retail businesses but excludes banks and trust companies.

Maddy summaryAssembly Resolution 609 commemorates the 30th Anniversary of the Panamanian Parade scheduled for October 11, 2025, in Brooklyn. It recognizes the parade as the largest Panamanian cultural event outside Panama, celebrating Panamanian heritage, independence history, and community contributions. The resolution honors the Day of Independence Committee of Panamanians in New York, Inc. (DICPNY) for fostering cultural preservation and multicultural unity over 30 years.

Maddy summaryBill A 6326 requires gas and electric utility companies to provide their customers with at least 45 days' written notice before any service rate or charge increase takes effect. This bill directly affects gas and electric corporations by mandating this notification period and impacts their customers by ensuring they are informed in advance of changes to their utility costs. It amends the public service law to add this new requirement.

Relates to authorizing early parole release for incarcerated individuals where substance abuse was a significant contributing factor in the commission of the offense.

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 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.

Requires the owner or operator of a vessel to establish and maintain with the department evidence of financial responsibility sufficient to meet the amount of liability.

Prohibits third-party restaurant reservation services from arranging unauthorized restaurant reservations with food service establishments; establishes fines for violations of such prohibition.