Removes the lifetime ban on jury duty for convicted felons; provides that if convicted of a felony, such person has completed all sentencing requirements to such conviction, including any required term of imprisonment, probation, or community supervision.
Asm. Phara Souffrant Forrest
Sponsored bills
Allows commuter vans to accept hails from prospective passengers in the street; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases the daily financial allowance for trial and grand jurors in New York's unified court system from $40 to $72. The change directly affects individuals summoned to serve on juries, ensuring they receive higher compensation for their time and reducing the financial burden on those with lower wages. Under the new provisions, jurors whose daily pay is less than $72 will receive a top-up payment to reach that amount, while employers are restricted in how much they can deduct from a juror's wages during the first three days of service. The legislation also clarifies that employers cannot fire or penalize employees for missing work to serve on a jury.
Requires the advisory council on maternal mortality and morbidity to undertake a review of the cesarean births at hospitals in the state; requires two licensed midwives to be on the advisory council.
Provides that certain purchase contracts to purchase food can be awarded to a qualified bidder who fulfills certain values based procurement standards when such bid is not more than 10% higher than the lowest responsible bidder and when the bidder makes publicly available data on where such bidder sources their food items; sets forth the criteria for values based procurement standards to include local economies, environmental sustainability, racial equity, valued workforce, animal welfare, and nutrition.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands the State Commission of Correction from three to nine members to include a broader range of perspectives in overseeing the state's correctional system. The new commission will consist of appointees from the governor, the Assembly speaker, the Senate temporary president, and the correctional association, with specific requirements that at least one member be a formerly incarcerated individual, a public health professional, a behavioral health expert, or an attorney specializing in prisoner rights. To ensure stability and balance, members will serve staggered five-year terms with a limit of ten years total, and the appointing authority for each member will have the power to remove them for cause.
Prohibits utility corporations from imposing late fees, interest, or penalties during an investigation by the commission; allows retroactive late fees, interest, or penalties if a determination is made in favor of such utility corporation; prohibits utility services from being terminated during an investigation by the commission; requires utility corporations to notify customers of investigations; requires notice to the general public.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state-operated hospitals, university health facilities, and cancer institutes from suing patients to collect medical debt. It defines medical debt as any amount owed for health care services, products, devices, or ambulance care provided by licensed providers. The law applies specifically to these public institutions and bars them from filing civil or supreme court lawsuits against individuals for such debts. The provision takes effect immediately upon passage.
Requires public notice and public engagement when a general hospital seeks to close entirely or a unit that provides maternity, mental health or substance use care.
Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Fashion Environmental Accountability Act, requires large fashion retailers to conduct standardized environmental due diligence on their supply chains and creates a remediation fund to address harms. It applies to businesses selling new clothing, shoes, or bags with over $100 million in annual revenue, excluding used clothing sellers and most multi-brand retailers. Companies must map their suppliers across four tiers, from raw material providers to finished goods manufacturers, and report on their efforts to prevent or mitigate environmental damage. The legislation mandates that these reports be independently verified and published using open data principles, while defining a "living wage" as a key standard for worker compensation.