Expands eligibility for the tuition assistance program by restoring eligibility to graduate students; makes optional semesters, quarters or terms eligible for awards.
Maddy summaryThis bill raises the minimum daily fee for temporary court interpreters from $25 to $110. It requires town and village courts to cover any compensation exceeding $110 per day for these interpreters. The bill also mandates that courts appoint certified interpreters for deaf or hard of hearing individuals in legal proceedings, with temporary appointments allowed only if certified interpreters aren't immediately available. These changes apply to all courts handling legal cases involving deaf or hard of hearing people.
Enacts the "next-gen civics act" to provide education to students in grades nine through twelve on civic education; provides that such instruction shall include, but not be limited to, a hands-on, project-based curriculum where students shall apply what they learn through activities that include, but are not limited to, mock elections, community projects, and policy simulations.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's penal law to explicitly include ammunition in the list of items prohibited for individuals with certain criminal convictions or disabilities. It expands existing restrictions on firearms, rifles, and shotguns to cover ammunition, making it a class D felony to purchase, dispose of, or knowingly assist a prohibited person in obtaining ammunition. The law targets individuals barred from firearm possession due to prior convictions or other disqualifying factors, and also holds accountable those who facilitate such transactions. This change directly affects people with specific criminal histories and anyone who knowingly helps them acquire ammunition.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the MTA to create a half-fare program for eligible New York State veterans using public transportation. It applies specifically to veterans who are New York residents, honorably discharged from U.S. military service, and possess a valid New York veteran ID card. The MTA must establish the program but cannot fund it from its regular operating or capital budgets; instead, it can only implement it using state funds specifically allocated for this purpose. The bill defines "veteran" clearly and mandates that the program be implemented with state appropriations.
Requires school districts to have diversity, equity and inclusion officers to develop methods to diversify the personnel of the school district and to recommend changes to district policies and practices to reduce racial disparities in hiring school district employees, particularly teachers; requires boards of education to annually report information regarding such policies and practices to the department of education; requires the department of education to annually report such information to the legislature.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates rules for when construction projects must pay local prevailing wages. It applies to projects using at least 20% public funds (or $3 million/$5 million in public funds) for construction costs. Exemptions include single-family homes, small nonprofits, and certain affordable housing developments meeting specific affordability requirements. This affects contractors and developers working on qualifying projects funded in part by public money.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases minimum daily pay for New York City election workers. Election inspectors will receive at least $300 per day, and coordinators at least $350 per day. These rates apply specifically to NYC elections and replace prior minimums, with the city, not counties, responsible for funding. The change directly affects election inspectors and coordinators who serve during registration and election days in New York City.
Requires all school districts to purchase and provide assistive technology devices no later than two months after an item is put on a student's individualized education program.
Establishes the bilingual teachers of tomorrow teacher recruitment and retention program to attract and retain bilingual, certified teachers in schools with a bilingual teacher shortage; provides for grants and procedures for applying for such grants and eligibility requirements for fund distribution.
