Asm. Jaime Williams

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that teachers of kindergarten through fifth grade complete specific training on identifying dyslexia to obtain or renew their certification. The required training must be provided by the Center for Dyslexia and Dysgraphia, which will set standards for the curriculum, duration, and provider qualifications. Once enacted, the commissioner of education will issue regulations to enforce these new requirements, with the law taking effect the following July.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York State schools to include water safety education for students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. It mandates that the state's education board ensure lessons cover identifying drowning risks, understanding safe behaviors for children and adults, and learning how to respond to water emergencies. The law gives the board flexibility to integrate these lessons into existing classes through methods like interactive assemblies or in-classroom activities. Once passed, the education board will create specific rules to guide how schools implement this new curriculum.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands retirement service credit eligibility for law enforcement officers within the New York State Division of State Police and several other agencies. It directly affects investigators and sworn officers employed by the New York Waterfront Commission starting July 1, 2023, as well as non-seasonally appointed sworn members, forest rangers, and police officers in the Department of Environmental Conservation. The legislation mandates that these individuals be covered under the same retirement provisions as state police officers and ensures their prior service is counted toward their total retirement credit. Additionally, it clarifies that service credit for state university police officers who meet specific training and tenure requirements will be calculated based on their final average salary. These changes are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York public schools to provide plant-based food options upon request by a student or their parent/guardian. Schools must offer these meat-free alternatives (defined as USDA-recognized meat substitutes) at no extra cost compared to standard meals, and include this option in all food service descriptions. The policy applies to every meal or snack the student participates in, while allowing students to choose non-plant-based options if they prefer. It does not mandate schools to offer plant-based meals to all students, only to those who specifically request them.

Enacts the "beauty justice act"; provides for the regulation of ingredients in personal care products and cosmetics; prohibits the sale of personal care products and cosmetic products containing certain restricted products.

Enacts the "End the Toll Trap: Real Relief for Drivers Act" to address excess administrative costs incurred by public authorities for the collection of toll payments and to ensure repeat toll evaders pay such costs; creates the New York and New Jersey toll and fees reduction task force to examine and evaluate the efficacy of current payment processing procedures and systems, and to provide recommendations to increase efficacy and reduce tolls and administrative fees.

Maddy summaryBill A 1906 requires the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to create a system for notifying its customers about bed bug infestations. This system must inform passengers on subways, trains, and buses within 24 hours of discovering an infestation. The bill suggests methods for notification could include the MTA's webpage, email, or text messages. This aims to provide timely information to individuals who use MTA public transit services.

Limits the experiential qualifications of group teachers for preschool classes and groups teachers for infant or toddler classes to what was required for their educational qualifications or certain college credits in related areas.

Relates to the certification of registered nurse anesthetists; provides that for such certification an applicant shall file an application, be licensed as a registered professional nurse, have satisfactorily completed educational preparation for the administration of anesthesia by an accredited entity and pay a fee; specifies who may represent themself as a registered nurse anesthetist.

Requires all state and private agencies with mandatory reporters of incidents involving vulnerable people to retrain all staff on reporting to a 9-1-1 operator and the county district attorney's office and state and private websites; requires written materials to be updated.