Asm. Mike Tannousis

Maddy summaryThis bill waives the $25 processing fee for criminal history background checks required by mentoring programs operated by not-for-profit corporations. It requires these programs to collect fingerprints but eliminates the standard fee they would otherwise pay to the state. The exemption applies specifically to formal mentoring programs matching youth with adult volunteers for developmental support, as defined in the law. This directly affects qualifying not-for-profit mentoring organizations seeking background checks for volunteers or staff.

Restores judicial discretion relating to bail reform; provides that when the defendant is charged with a felony, the court shall request of the applicable county pre-trial services agency a risk and needs assessment be conducted on the eligible defendant for the purpose of determining whether such defendant should be released on the defendant's own recognizance, released under non-monetary conditions or, where authorized, bail or commit the defendant to the custody of the sheriff; defines risks and needs assessment; makes related provisions.

Establishes a supplemental household and dependent care credit payment for taxpayers who are eligible for certain household and dependent care services necessary for gainful employment.

Relates to protecting the communication rights of individuals with disabilities; provides that each person with a disability has the right to communicate in their preferred manner.

Requires mental health facilities to have a staff member specifically trained in filing assisted outpatient treatment petitions and to have patients with mental illness not released from such facilities until they have been registered for available services.

Allows for paratransit eligible for paratransit eligible individuals who are at least eighty years old, to be required only to present correspondence from a licensed physician, dated within the preceding thirty days, indicating that the paratransit service is still necessary for the individual to make a single application for paratransit services; provides that once approved, such individuals shall be exempt from all certification requirements.

Relates to revocation of drivers' licenses and registrations for multiple driving while intoxicated convictions; provides an automatic 10 year license revocation for 3rd offense.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires judges to issue decisions on motions and non-jury verdicts within nine months of full submission by parties. Failure to meet this deadline is defined as misconduct, triggering referral to a disciplinary commission. Judges who miss deadlines more than five times or fail to decide within two years face removal from office, with exceptions for extraordinary circumstances or case transfers. The law applies directly to judges handling these types of cases and takes effect January 1, 2027. Current unresolved cases have six months to comply before penalties apply.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for repeat animal cruelty offenses by creating a new "aggravated cruelty" category under New York law. It defines aggravated cruelty as intentionally causing extreme pain or acting sadistically toward companion animals, with penalties escalating based on prior convictions: a class E felony for first repeat offense, class D for second, and class C for third. The law specifically excludes lawful activities like hunting, rabies control, and approved scientific research. It directly affects individuals convicted of multiple animal cruelty offenses within a decade, increasing potential prison time for repeat violations.

Directs the commissioner of transportation, in consultation with the New York state bridge authority, thruway authority, triborough bridge and tunnel authority, metropolitan transportation authority, and port authority of New York and New Jersey, shall conduct a statewide study and review of the tolling authorities' regulations and policies in relation to cashless tolling and tolls by mail collection (Part A); provides that no fine, fee or administrative charge for the late payment of a toll shall exceed ten per centum of the amount of such toll owed or be accessed within one hundred eighty days from the date of the incurred toll (Part B); requires the department of transportation, in consultation and cooperation with the New York state thruway authority, the New York state bridge authority, the metropolitan transportation authority, and the Port authority of New York and New Jersey, maintain a central website with the contact information for each authority's relevant toll payer advocate office and customer service center including phone numbers, email addresses and a website address or hyperlink for each authority's toll payer advocate help request form (Part C); establishes a cashless tolling amnesty program for certain public authorities (Part D).