Asm. Eddie Gibbs

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits involuntary servitude and forced labor in all New York state and local correctional facilities, directly affecting incarcerated individuals. It amends the Civil Rights Law to explicitly ban slavery, involuntary servitude, and forced labor for all people in New York - including those convicted of crimes - and adds a new Correction Law section prohibiting any labor compelled through force, threats, or adverse actions (like disciplinary measures). The law makes it illegal for facilities to require labor against an individual's will using coercion or fear of punishment. This represents a concrete legal change to end forced labor practices within New York's prison system.

Directs the commissioner of health to establish a cannabis awareness program for youths age eighteen and younger designed to educate about the effects and risks associated with cannabis use, including that it is illegal for persons under the age of twenty-one.

Increases access to resources for culturally diverse arts and culture organizations that advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, racial and social justice, and cultural preservation.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a tax credit for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers to cover the cost of fishing and hunting licenses. Eligible residents must have served as active volunteers for 12 consecutive months and paid fees for licenses, tags, or permits under environmental conservation law. The credit reduces their state income tax, with any excess carried forward to future tax years. It applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2026, and directly affects volunteer emergency responders who purchase these licenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new civil lawsuit pathway for individuals whose constitutional or federal rights were violated by government actors (such as police, courts, or public officials). It allows victims to sue for damages and court-ordered remedies, removes common defenses like "I thought it was legal," and requires courts to award attorney fees to winning plaintiffs - even if the case settles without a formal judgment. Public entities (like cities or state agencies) must cover their employees' legal costs if sued under this law, and lawsuits must be filed within three years of the violation. It directly affects people harmed by government overreach, ensuring they have a clear legal route to seek redress for rights violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a "Gate Money Program" providing eligible individuals released from New York State correctional facilities with monthly cash payments. Specifically, those who served at least six months in state prison and haven't received prior payments get $425 per month for up to six months (capped at $2,550 total), adjusted annually for inflation. Payments are made immediately upon release (cash/check) and then monthly by community supervision agencies, with funds not counting toward public assistance eligibility. The program is funded by a $25 million appropriation into a dedicated "gate money fund" and excludes individuals released to other states or federal custody.

Creates a private right of action for fertility fraud; adds a health care practitioner using human reproductive material from the practitioner or from a donor knowing or who reasonably should have known that such patient had not expressly consented to such use, to the crime of aggravated sexual abuse in the fourth degree; relates to the time in which to commence actions relating to fertility fraud; includes fertility fraud in the definition of professional misconduct for physicians, physician's assistants and specialist assistants.

Expands health care services provided by telehealth to include services delivered through a facility licensed under article twenty-eight of the public health law that is eligible to be designated or has received a designation as a federally qualified health center, including those facilities that are also licensed under article thirty-one or article thirty-two of the mental hygiene law.

Requires vision screening in public schools using examination devices and testing methods as may be authorized in the regulations of the commissioner of education, including but not limited to, the Snellen Eye Test Chart and automated vision screening devices.

Requires the state education department to develop a model mental health training program to serve as the mental health component of required school safety trainings as part of comprehensive district-wide safety plans developed by each district-wide school safety team.