Asm. Mike Tannousis

Permits judicial discretion based on dangerousness when issuing a securing order; allows for limited pre-trial detention upon such a determination; extends the time period for discovery from twenty to forty-five days; permits the immediate issuance of a bench warrant for failure to appear for certain principals charged with hate crimes; places restrictions on when appearance tickets may be issued.

Prohibits a court from granting custody of a minor to anyone who has been convicted of any of the enumerated sex crimes except where a court finds there is no significant risk to the child.

Requires instruction in arts and music education to be incorporated into curriculums for all public school students; requires school districts to ensure that appropriately certified teachers are providing such education; authorizes rules and regulations consistent with such provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's family court procedures to tighten when youth court cases may be transferred to family court. It requires courts to deny such transfers if defendants caused serious injury, displayed weapons (including firearms), or committed certain sexual offenses as defined in criminal law. The bill repeals section 725.15 of the criminal procedure law and updates victim notification rules for dispositional hearings. These changes directly affect youth defendants, family courts, and prosecutors handling cases involving minors.

Directs the public service commission in consultation with NYSERDA to conduct a full cost benefit analysis of the technical and economic feasibility of renewable energy systems in the state of New York and to compare such directly with other methods of electricity generation within nine months after the effective date and every four years thereafter.

Permits at the discretion of the court certain members of the deceased victim's family to read statements in court during the sentencing of a defendant, rather than allowing only a single member of the victim's family to read a statement in court, upon consultation with counsel for the defendant and the people.

Establishes the Brooklyn-Queens expressway authority for the purposes of the continuance, further development and improvement of transportation along the Brooklyn-Queens expressway and other services related thereto.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3879) permits the commissioner of education to approve graduate programs for inclusion in the state tuition assistance program, which previously excluded them. It directly affects graduate students seeking state-funded tuition aid by expanding eligibility to include approved graduate programs. The key provision amends education law to explicitly state that "nothing in this section shall be read to exclude any graduate program" from being classified as an approved program. The change modifies eligibility rules but does not guarantee funding - approval remains at the commissioner's discretion. This is a policy adjustment to broaden access to state tuition assistance for graduate education.

Maddy summaryThis bill suspends employer contributions to the interest assessment surcharge fund until December 31, 2027. It directly affects employers who would otherwise pay into this fund. To cover costs during the suspension, the bill appropriates $500 million from the Economic Uncertainties Fund to pay federal unemployment interest accrued under the Social Security Act. The suspension and funding mechanism are set to expire automatically on December 31, 2027.

Requires residents of the state, who are foreign refugees, to register with the office of temporary and disability assistance; directs such office to provide registration information to the office of children and family services, the department of health, the office for new Americans, the department of law, the division of state police, the NYC police department, county sheriff's offices, municipal police departments, and the division of homeland security and emergency services; directs the office for new Americans to conduct background screenings of all refugees who register; requires refugee resettlement agencies to submit quarterly reports to the bureau of refugee and immigrant assistance on the refugees to whom it provides assistance, and to monitor the activities of such refugees for a certain period of time; directs the division of homeland security and emergency services to develop and implement a plan to ensure compliance by refugee resettlement agencies.