Asm. Jarett Gandolfo

Makes life imprisonment without parole mandatory for defendants convicted of murder in the first degree or second degree and the victim is a police officer, peace officer, first responder or correctional officer.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the legal classification of "criminal possession of a firearm" from a class E felony to a class D felony under New York law. It directly affects individuals convicted of possessing a firearm without proper registration, as defined in the penal law. The key mechanism is amending the penal law to downgrade the felony level, which typically results in reduced sentencing severity. This policy change modifies the criminal penalty structure for this specific offense without altering the underlying conduct or registration requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts community colleges from paying the metropolitan commuter transportation mobility tax. It amends tax law to explicitly include community colleges in the list of educational institutions already exempt from this tax, alongside public schools, libraries, and other educational entities. The change directly affects community colleges by removing this specific tax burden from their operations. The bill makes a clear, concrete policy adjustment without altering broader tax structures or creating new requirements.

Maddy summaryBill A 2697 requires public school students participating in interscholastic athletics to provide a yearly cardiac fitness certificate. This applies to students in seventh grade or those who will turn thirteen during the school year. The certificate must be signed by a licensed medical professional and include the results of an electrocardiogram or echocardiogram. It must also describe the student's cardiac fitness and state if any heart conditions could lead to severe adverse health outcomes during athletic activity.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime in New York law: "harassment of a first responder," punishable as a serious misdemeanor. It directly affects anyone who approaches within 25 feet of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or emergency medical personnel (including volunteers) while they are performing their duties, after being verbally warned to stop. The law prohibits this behavior when the person intends to block the responder’s work, threaten them with harm, or repeatedly cause them serious emotional distress without a legitimate reason. The penalty applies to actions that interfere with critical emergency services during active operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 50% property tax exemption for real estate used as a licensed child day care facility, as defined by state social services law. The exemption is optional for local governments - counties, cities, towns, or school districts must pass a local law to adopt it after a public hearing. Property owners operating qualifying day cares would see their tax bill reduced by half, but the exemption ends if the property stops being used for child care. Localities may also choose to limit the exemption to less than 50% through separate local laws.

Maddy summaryBill A 5187 expands the definition of hate crimes to include offenses committed against law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel. It amends existing law to classify an offense as a hate crime if the perpetrator intentionally targets an individual based on their actual or perceived employment in these roles. This means that crimes motivated by bias against these public safety workers could be prosecuted as hate crimes. The bill also provides specific definitions for who qualifies as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or emergency medical services personnel.

Creates the utility consumer advocate of the Long Island office of the department of public service to advocate and to represent the interests of residential Long Island utility customers.

Authorizes the imposition of bail for certain felony offenses involving the manufacture, sale, distribution, or possession with intent to sell synthetic opioids.

Enacts "Stella's law"; requires a staff member certified in first aid, CPR, and the Heimlich maneuver to be present in school cafeterias during lunchtimes.