Asm. Monique Chandler-Waterman

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how New York State funds pre-kindergarten programs outside New York City. It repeals the previous requirement for competitive selection of programs and instead guarantees funding sufficient to cover all qualifying programs in non-NYC regions. The key change ensures that every eligible pre-K program in these areas receives full funding based on need, rather than competing for limited slots. The bill also maintains the $300 million annual allocation specifically for New York City programs.

Requires that public schools provide instruction on climate change, including but not limited to identifying the causes and impacts of climate change on individuals, environments and communities, and learning to evaluate solutions.

Establishes a task force to examine, evaluate, accept public comment and make recommendations concerning the impact of adverse experiences and preventive and trauma-informed policy and practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits all law enforcement agencies from using chemical incapacitants (like tear gas or similar agents) except for pepper spray under strict limits. Specifically, pepper spray is restricted to liquid canisters no larger than 0.75 ounces and cannot be used for crowd control. The law defines "law enforcement agency" broadly to include any unit authorized to investigate or arrest for felonies, and "chemical incapacitant" to cover toxic chemicals, munitions designed to cause harm, and related equipment. This directly affects all state and local law enforcement agencies by restricting their use of chemical agents during operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1467) adds "to recover after a stillbirth" as a qualifying reason for paid family leave under New York's workers' compensation law. It directly affects employees who experience a stillbirth, allowing them to take paid leave for recovery. The key provision amends existing law to include stillbirth recovery alongside other covered reasons like bonding with a newborn or caring for a family member with a serious health condition. The change applies to all policies or contracts issued, renewed, or modified after the effective date. This is a specific policy update to expand access to paid leave for a defined health-related event.

Allows commuter vans to accept hails from prospective passengers in the street; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof.

Requires the division of criminal justice services to establish a policy prohibiting police agencies from using chemical weapons and kinetic energy munitions on civilian populations and from acquiring and stockpiling such weapons or munitions.

Requires state employees and the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, and members of the legislature attend annual implicit bias training provided by the legislative ethics commission.

Relates to traffic stops conducted by law enforcement officers; defines "racial profiling"; authorizes division of criminal justice services to conduct a study relating to racial profiling; prohibits use of race or ethnicity of an individual as the sole factor in determining the existence of probable cause to place such person under arrest or take into custody.

Relates to determinations of appropriate educational programs for certain students in a school district in a city having a population of one million or more.