Asm. Alex Bores

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 394) amends New York's criminal procedure law to authorize bail for defendants charged with certain aggravated harassment offenses when those charges are classified as hate crimes. Specifically, it adds "aggravated harassment in the first degree" (Penal Law §240.31) and "aggravated harassment in the second degree" (Penal Law §240.30) to the list of offenses where bail may be granted, provided the harassment is charged as a hate crime under Penal Law §485.05. The bill applies directly to individuals facing these specific hate crime-related harassment charges during pretrial proceedings. It does not change existing hate crime definitions but expands bail eligibility for these particular offenses.

Directs the commissioner of health to contract with an independent entity to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the existing methodology used to determine payment for early intervention screenings, evaluations, services and service coordination; directs recommendations on reimbursement methodology as well as needs under the program.

Ensures that library staff of free association, public, and hospital libraries, and with certain advice, Indian libraries, are able to develop collections, services, and programming that reflect the values and protections established under the human rights law and the equal rights amendment to the state constitution.

Requires third-party food delivery services to factor compliance with certain vehicle and traffic laws when assigning workers to delivery routes when such delivery may involve the operation of a bicycle with or without electric assist.

Enacts the "Empowering People in Rights Enforcement (EMPIRE) Worker Protection Act"; relates to the delegation of state enforcement authority to private actors; authorizes an affected employee, whistleblower, representative organization or an organizational deputy to initiate a public enforcement action on behalf of the commissioner for certain provisions of the labor law, or any regulation promulgated thereunder.

Establishes in the city of New York a bicycle lane safety program to enforce certain restrictions on the use of bicycle lanes and/or protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.

Authorizes an insurer to pay a claim for reimbursement made by a provider using a credit card, virtual credit card or electronic funds transfer payment method that imposes on the provider a free or similar charge to process the payment; defines "virtual credit card" as a single-use series of numbers linked to a fixed dollar amount and provided by an insurer to a provider for the purpose of paying a claim for health care services performed by the provider; makes related provisions.

Codifies the disparate impact standard in the human rights law; provides that in cases of alleged housing discrimination, an unlawful discriminatory practice may be established by a practice's discriminatory effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans employers from requiring workers to sign agreements that force them to pay money if they leave employment before a set period (e.g., "reimbursement for training" clauses). It directly affects all workers, including employees, interns, volunteers, and contractors, by prohibiting these "employment promissory notes" as a condition of hiring. Key exceptions include repayment for actual training costs, property purchases, or collective bargaining agreements. Violations carry fines up to $5,000 per worker, and workers can recover attorney fees if sued over invalid clauses.

Relates to including outpatient care provided by creative arts therapists in certain insurance policies covering care for other mental health services.