Asm. Micah Lasher

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a 2025 law (the "FAIR Business Practices Act") that had expanded the attorney general's authority to address unfair business practices. It amends Section 349 of New York's General Business Law to clarify that an "unfair" practice causes "substantial injury" (defined similarly to federal standards), requires the attorney general to give businesses 10 days' notice before suing, and maintains private lawsuits allowing consumers to seek $50+ in damages or triple damages for willful violations. The changes directly affect businesses operating in New York, the attorney general's office, and consumers who suffer deceptive practices. The bill updates enforcement procedures without creating new prohibitions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's Penal Law to explicitly include federal government employees and officers within the legal definition of "public servant." It directly affects federal employees working in New York by bringing them under the same criminal law provisions that apply to state and local public officials. The key change is a definitional update - expanding the scope of "public servant" to cover federal roles without creating new penalties or requirements. The amendment applies immediately to all relevant criminal statutes.

Establishes the crime of interference with constitutional rights by public officials when, acting under color of law, such public official by force or threat of force, or by intimidation or coercion, recklessly engages in conduct which injures, intimidates, interferes with, or attempts to injure, intimidate, or interfere with another person in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured by the constitution or laws of the United States; or the constitution or laws of the state of New York; provides such offense is a class A misdemeanor which elevates if bodily injury occurs.

Requires the department of criminal justice services to develop, issue, and publish "race-blind charging" guidelines for a process whereby all prosecution agencies that prosecute criminal violations of the law as felonies or misdemeanors, shall implement a process by which an initial review of a case for potential charging is performed based on information, including police reports and criminal histories from the department of justice, from which direct means of identifying the race of the suspect, victim, or witness have been removed.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the state constitution to allow the legislature to adjust the number of justices on the supreme court in any judicial district. It sets a population-based limit: the number of justices cannot exceed one per 50,000 residents (or any fraction over 30,000) based on the latest census. The legislature may also reduce justices, but not below the current number in any district. The proposed change requires voter approval in the 2026 general election.

Relates to the redistricting of congressional and state legislative districts and to redistricting in the event that another state has acted to determine the district lines for congressional offices more than once in less than ten years.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 7.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for specific human services programs effective April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026. It directly affects providers of mental health, developmental disability, and addiction services (including clinics, residential programs, and outpatient care) by requiring them to use the COLA funds to provide at least a 2.6% targeted salary increase for eligible staff. The COLA applies to programs funded or certified by the Office of Mental Health, Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, and Office of Addiction Services and Supports. This adjustment is inclusive of other inflation factors for the specified period, excluding federal pandemic relief programs.

Directs DOCCS, in collaboration with OTDA, OMH and OASAS, to establish a 5-year reintegration pilot program for individuals being released from correctional facilities to provide supports and services to prepare for release, assist with reintegration into the community, and reduce recidivism.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases short-term disability benefits for New York workers. It phases in higher weekly benefit rates (from 50% to 67% of average weekly wage) and extends maximum leave duration (from 8 to 12 weeks) over several years, starting in 2018. The changes apply to employees needing short-term disability leave due to illness or injury, directly affecting both workers and their employers who provide these benefits. The bill maintains a cap based on the state average weekly wage and allows the superintendent of financial services to delay increases if needed.

Provides for adjustment of the maximum income threshold for eligibility for the senior citizen rent increase exemption (SCRIE), disability rent increase exemption (DRIE), senior citizen homeowners' exemption (SCHE), and disabled homeowners' exemption (DHE) by any increase in the consumer price index (CPI).