Asm. Linda Rosenthal

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 870) removes the requirement that prior convictions for certain sexual abuse offenses must have occurred within the last ten years to qualify as "persistent sexual abuse." It directly affects individuals convicted of multiple sexual abuse offenses by eliminating the time limit on counting past convictions. The key change modifies the penal law definition to allow any prior separate convictions (regardless of when they occurred) to be used in determining persistent sexual abuse charges. Persistent sexual abuse remains classified as a class E felony under the current law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1639) creates a state grant program to help small and midsize farms transition from livestock or feed crop production to plant-based agriculture. It directly affects farms with annual income under $350,000 (small) or between $350,000 and $999,999 (midsize). The program provides competitive grants for land transition, requires applicants to submit detailed transition plans using department-developed best practices, and mandates technical assistance through qualified providers. Recipients must report on their progress to the department. The bill does not fund large farms or address existing plant-based product markets.

Establishes a tax credit for personal property replacement as a result of bedbug infestation; credit of 15% not to exceed $750; certification determined by commissioner.

Allocates funding for the New York city animal population control fund for the animal population control program; monies that emanate from any resident or source in NYC from certain violations and fees shall be allocated to the NYC animal population control fund.

Enacts hazing offenses and anti-hazing educational programs at educational institutions and requires educational institutions to maintain a public report on hazing violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits animal insurance policies from excluding or limiting coverage for pre-existing health conditions in pets. It directly affects pet owners, veterinarians, and insurers by requiring policies to cover existing health issues without denial. The key provision adds a new law section stating policies "shall not contain any exclusion or limitation" for pre-existing conditions. The rule applies to all new or renewed policies issued after the effective date, ensuring coverage for existing conditions at the next policy renewal.

Relates to clarifying which entities handle the reporting of pregnancy loss; the responsibilities of health care providers and penalties for not protecting the identities of individuals who suffered a pregnancy loss.

Provides for the establishment of residential home safety and loss prevention courses certified by the superintendent of financial services; requires insurers to provide actuarially appropriate discounts on fire and homeowners insurance premiums to those homeowners who have completed a residential home safety and loss prevention course; directs the superintendent of financial services to promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary to implement such program and specifies certain matters which must be included in such rules and regulations; requires the superintendent of financial services to issue a report thereon.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state, county, and local transportation agencies to design all publicly funded road projects - including construction, reconstruction, and major maintenance - to safely accommodate all users (drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders) through "complete street" principles. It applies to projects receiving both federal and state funding under transportation department oversight, excluding routine resurfacing but including projects with a 10+ year lifespan. The law mandates agencies consider factors like traffic volume, population density, and community input when planning, rather than automatically prioritizing vehicles. It does not change existing project approvals but sets new standards for how projects must be designed.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1943) allows patients, parents of infants, legal guardians, or conservators to request written copies of medical records from doctors or hospitals. Providers must give the first copy for free, and additional paper copies may be charged up to $0.75 per page (or $0.20 per page for a second copy, capped at $100 total). It prohibits denying access due to inability to pay, requires electronic copies for government benefit applications without charge, and bans sharing infant venereal disease or abortion treatment records with parents/guardians. The law applies directly to healthcare providers and patients seeking their own health information.