Asm. Nikki Lucas

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all voting systems in New York to use durable paper ballots that withstand recounts without damage and retain voter marks for the full retention period. It mandates that every polling place must offer voters either a hand-marked paper ballot or a nontabulating ballot marking device (which doesn’t record votes electronically). The bill explicitly bans voting machines with wireless capabilities, internet connectivity, or encoded marks like QR/barcodes that require special devices to read. These provisions ensure voter-verifiable paper records remain the standard for audits and recounts.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 4999) prohibits the retail sale of tobacco products with non-tobacco flavors (like fruit, mint, chocolate, or menthol) and accessories that add such flavors. It directly affects all licensed tobacco retailers, businesses, and vendors operating under New York's tax law. Violations carry a civil fine of up to $500 per incident, and the law explicitly bans law enforcement from stopping or questioning people about purchasing or possessing these products. The policy aims to restrict flavored tobacco access while defining "characterizing flavor" broadly to cover any distinct non-tobacco taste.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies the legal definition of consent for sexual contact under New York law. It states consent must be a knowing, voluntary, and mutual decision among all participants, which can be expressed through words or clear actions showing ongoing permission. The bill specifies that consent is absent when there's physical force, threats, incapacitation, verbal withdrawal, or when a reasonable person would understand a lack of agreement. It directly affects how sexual assault cases are legally evaluated in New York courts, particularly for offenses like rape and sexual abuse. The changes take effect 30 days after becoming law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York healthcare facilities providing birthing services to implement specific protocols when a stillbirth occurs. It mandates facilities to assign a primary physician to communicate with families, provide bereavement support (including memory boxes with keepsakes like handprints and photographs), and offer sensitive counseling. The bill also establishes a confidential state database collecting anonymized stillbirth data - including maternal health history, fetal evaluation details, and autopsy findings - to identify causes and prevention strategies. All collected data will be publicly accessible on the health department website in non-identifiable form, while facilities must comply with these protocols as a condition of licensure.

Increases the minimum wage outside of New York city and the counties of Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester; repeals certain provisions of law relating to exceptions to minimum wage increases.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 4742) allows either an injured worker or an employer to request a hearing in a workers' compensation claim. It requires the board to schedule such hearings within 45 days of the request, without imposing limits, fees, or penalties on either party. The bill also mandates that the board keep accurate records of all hearings and imposes penalties ($25 to a fund + $75 to the worker) if employers delay proceedings through tactics like failing to appear or produce evidence. It directly affects workers seeking compensation and employers facing claims.

Deems home instruction which is compliant with the provisions of article 65 of the education law and the home instruction requirements prescribed in the commissioner of education's regulations to be substantially equivalent in amount and quality to the instruction given to students of like age and attainments at the public schools of the city or district where the student resides.

Establishes the New York state museum partnership trust to serve as a focal point for the receipt and administration of private gifts, devises and bequests of real and personal property donated to further historic preservation, advance cultural education, and enhance the state museum; makes an appropriation of $250,000 for the hiring of an executive director of the trust.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires landlords using automated tools to screen housing applicants to conduct annual bias checks by independent auditors, ensuring the tools don't disproportionately harm protected groups like racial minorities or women. Landlords must publicly share summary results of these checks on their websites before using the tools and notify applicants about how the tools work, what data they use, and denial reasons. It directly affects landlords who deploy such technology and housing applicants whose applications are processed by these systems. The law mandates transparency about tool usage and provides applicants a 24-hour window to request human review if denied. Violations may trigger investigations by the attorney general.

Provides that any claim for deceptive acts or practices against a distribution utility providing gas, electric or steam services to the public, the court shall have exclusive jurisdiction over such claim without regard to any defenses alleged; provides that in any claim for false advertising, the court shall have exclusive jurisdiction over such claim.