Asm. Linda Rosenthal

Maddy summaryThis bill requires chain restaurants with 15+ locations in New York to display a specific sodium warning icon and text next to menu items exceeding 2,300mg of sodium (the daily recommended limit). The warning states: "Warning indicates that the sodium (salt) content of this item is higher than the total daily recommended limit (2300 mg)." Chain restaurants must report sodium content for menu items quarterly, and the state health department must develop the required icon within one year. Violations carry a $250 daily penalty per non-compliant location. The requirement applies to standard menu items, including combo meals, but exempts restaurants already using comparable sodium labels under other jurisdictions.

Maddy summaryBill A1214 prohibits New York employers from requiring job applicants or employees to waive legal rights (such as claims under state or federal law) as a condition of employment. It directly affects all employers and job seekers in New York State by banning pre-employment agreements that diminish rights like wage claims or discrimination protections. The law specifically excludes collective bargaining agreements with labor unions. This creates a clear legal requirement that employers cannot force individuals to give up existing or future legal claims to secure a job. The bill takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals who own or are suing over vacated properties to enter those sites to check for and remove abandoned pets. It also requires government housing departments to inspect abandoned dwellings for stray animals and report them to animal control or humane societies. The law clarifies that anyone who finds a pet during these inspections does not automatically become its owner. Additionally, the bill imposes fines on property owners who fail to inspect their abandoned homes for stray animals, with the collected money going to an animal population control fund.

Requires gas corporations to file maps with the public service commission annually to assess leak-prone gas infrastructure and the decommissioning of such leak-prone gas lines; requires the public service commission to publish such maps and certain accompanying documents on the commission's website; directs the public service commission to designate neighborhood priority decarbonization zones.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New York's criminal procedure law to allow defendants to appeal rulings denying evidence suppression motions - even if they later pleaded guilty or waived their right to appeal. It directly affects criminal defendants who want to challenge how evidence was obtained, making it easier to seek appellate review of such decisions. The key provision removes barriers to appeal for these specific rulings, ensuring they can be reviewed by higher courts regardless of a defendant's plea or waiver. The bill aims to strengthen judicial oversight of evidence-related rulings that involve matters of public interest.

Requires the office of court administration, clerks, and all other records custodians to develop policies and procedures to ensure no identifying information or documentation relating to name change actions or sex designation change actions is visible or retrievable in any electronic database maintained by the state of New York or a subdivision thereof.

Requires the administration of certain vaccines for children in accordance with regulations issued by the commissioner, utilizing generally accepted medical standards and based on recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and/or other similar nationally or internationally recognized scientific organizations; removes certain requirements for vaccines to be administered under federal guidance.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 9571) increases family leave benefits under New York's workers' compensation law, directly affecting eligible employees taking leave for medical care, bonding with a newborn, or military family exigencies. It gradually raises weekly benefit percentages (from 50% to 67% of average weekly wage) and extends maximum leave duration (from 8 to 12 weeks) over time, with specific phased-in dates starting in 2018. Covered employers must provide these enhanced benefits while maintaining health insurance coverage during leave. The changes apply to employees meeting eligibility criteria under the law, with the Superintendent of Financial Services retaining limited authority to delay increases.

Establishes the right to inspection of homes by buyers; provides for a 10-day inspection period where the buyer has the right to have a home inspected and cancel the contract if the buyer is not satisfied with the inspection results; makes related provisions.

Relates to the powers and duties of the citizens advisory committee of the MTA and membership on the Long Island Rail Road commuter council, the Metro-North railroad commuter council, and the New York city transit riders council; provides such committee with access to certain information.