Asm. Linda Rosenthal

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public housing authorities in New York to use alternative construction contract methods - such as design-build or construction manager at risk - instead of traditional bidding for certain projects. It requires authorities to follow a two-step process: first, publicly advertise for qualifications and select qualified firms based on criteria like experience and compliance with labor laws, then issue proposals to those firms. The bill also mandates that authorities consider minority- and women-owned business enterprises during selection. These changes apply to construction, renovation, or demolition projects exceeding $50,000, aiming to streamline project delivery while maintaining oversight. The law modifies existing public housing procurement rules to accommodate these flexible contract approaches.

Provides that certain communications made without malice regarding an incident of sexual assault, harassment or discrimination shall be deemed privileged; provides that a prevailing defendant in an action brought against such defendant for making a communication that is privileged shall be entitled to attorney's fees and costs for such defense.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts the location of new cannabis retail stores and on-site consumption facilities. It prohibits new licenses for storefronts within 500 feet of school grounds (including all entrances/exits in mixed-use buildings) and within 200 feet of houses of worship (including all entrances/exits in mixed-use buildings). These rules apply only to new licenses issued after the bill's effective date. The law directly affects cannabis businesses seeking to open new locations in the state.

Requires the division of housing and community renewal to promulgate forms which a landlord of a rent regulated unit in a building with four or more such units shall be required to use when requesting additional information from a tenant who has made a request to sublet.

Requires the installation of air quality monitors in all subway stations; requires data from the air quality monitors to be accessible to the public; requires remedial action to improve air quality when it is found to exceed safe levels.

Provides that possession of a condom or other reproductive or sexual health device may not be received in evidence in any trial, hearing or proceeding as evidence of conduct which would constitute an offense defined in article 230 of the penal law.

Prohibits police officers from using bias-based profiling; requires that a procedure be established for the taking and review of complaints against police officers for bias-based profiling; allows an action for injunctive relief and/or damages to be brought against a law enforcement agency, any agent of a law enforcement agency and the supervisor of an agent.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires landlords using automated tools to screen housing applicants to conduct annual bias checks by independent auditors, ensuring the tools don't disproportionately harm protected groups like racial minorities or women. Landlords must publicly share summary results of these checks on their websites before using the tools and notify applicants about how the tools work, what data they use, and denial reasons. It directly affects landlords who deploy such technology and housing applicants whose applications are processed by these systems. The law mandates transparency about tool usage and provides applicants a 24-hour window to request human review if denied. Violations may trigger investigations by the attorney general.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's Vehicle and Traffic Law to clarify that reckless driving includes operating a vehicle in a way that unreasonably interferes with highway use, endangers others, or meets the existing definition of recklessness under criminal law. It also adds a new provision to the Penal Law stating that reckless driving (as defined in the Vehicle and Traffic Law) can establish criminal negligence for causing a homicide or assault involving a motor vehicle. The law directly affects drivers whose reckless actions lead to serious injury or death, making it easier for prosecutors to charge them with criminal negligence in such cases. The changes take effect immediately upon enactment.

Requires express and affirmative consent prior to collection, storage or transmittal of any personal information obtained from the installation or use of a smart home connected system by certain persons.