Asm. Grace Lee

Relates to establishing the housing access voucher program; provides that the commissioner of the division of housing and community renewal shall implement a program of rental assistance in the form of housing vouchers for eligible individuals and families who are homeless or who face an imminent loss of housing; provides that the commissioner shall designate housing access voucher local administrators in the state to administer the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends New York State's Adult Cystic Fibrosis Program, which provides medical assistance to adults with cystic fibrosis, until March 31, 2030. It amends existing law to change the program's expiration date from 2025 to 2030, ensuring continued funding and support for eligible patients. The key provision is simply extending the program's operational period without altering its core eligibility or benefit structure. This directly affects New York adults diagnosed with cystic fibrosis who rely on state assistance for medical care.

Imposes an excise tax on the failure of certain hedge funds owning excess single-family residences to dispose of such residences; establishes the housing down payment trust fund to provide funds to state housing finance agencies to establish new or supplement existing programs that provide down payment assistance to families purchasing homes within the state.

Enacts the building up immigrant legal defense or BUILD act to provide competitive workforce development and capacity building grants to eligible entities that are seeking to expand access to representation for individuals facing deportation by increasing the workforce and strengthening the legal services infrastructure needed to provide such representation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 13-member Problem Gambling Advisory Council to advise New York's government on preventing and treating problem gambling. The council, appointed by legislative leaders and state agencies, must develop strategies for gambling prevention resources, consult with experts, increase public awareness, and recommend how to allocate gaming fees to fund these services. It will produce an annual report by October 1st each year, including findings on mobile sports betting impacts and self-exclusion trends. The council directly affects state agencies, gaming licensees, and community behavioral health providers by shaping resource allocation and policy recommendations.

Relates to establishing a maximum rent of one-third of household income for the senior citizens rent increase exemption and disability rent increase exemption.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York State law to add "Asian Lunar New Year" as an official public holiday. It specifies the holiday falls on the first day of the second lunar month following the winter solstice each year (a date that varies annually). The change affects state employees and public services, requiring them to observe this day as a paid holiday, similar to other established holidays like Independence Day. The bill updates Section 24 of the General Construction Law to include this date in the state's list of public holidays.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits all law enforcement agencies from using chemical incapacitants (like tear gas or similar agents) except for pepper spray under strict limits. Specifically, pepper spray is restricted to liquid canisters no larger than 0.75 ounces and cannot be used for crowd control. The law defines "law enforcement agency" broadly to include any unit authorized to investigate or arrest for felonies, and "chemical incapacitant" to cover toxic chemicals, munitions designed to cause harm, and related equipment. This directly affects all state and local law enforcement agencies by restricting their use of chemical agents during operations.

Relates to civil actions for deprivation of constitutional rights; provides that a peace officer employed by a local government, who under color of law, subjects or causes to be subjected, including failing to intervene, any other person to the deprivation of any individual rights that create binding obligations on government actors secured by the bill of rights, article one of the state constitution, is liable to the injured party for legal or equitable relief or any other appropriate relief; provides that statutory immunities and statutory limitations on liability, damages or attorney fees shall not apply; governmental immunity shall not be a defense to liability; and qualified immunity shall not be a defense to liability.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1467) adds "to recover after a stillbirth" as a qualifying reason for paid family leave under New York's workers' compensation law. It directly affects employees who experience a stillbirth, allowing them to take paid leave for recovery. The key provision amends existing law to include stillbirth recovery alongside other covered reasons like bonding with a newborn or caring for a family member with a serious health condition. The change applies to all policies or contracts issued, renewed, or modified after the effective date. This is a specific policy update to expand access to paid leave for a defined health-related event.