Asm. Harvey Epstein

Requires a proposed amendment to the constitution or other question provided by law to be submitted to a statewide vote be submitted to the people for their approval in plain language which is deemed to be no higher than an eighth grade reading level.

Authorizes certain policies issued by a risk retention group not chartered in this state but which is registered with the superintendent of financial services under the federal liability risk retention act of 1986, comprised entirely of organizations to which contributions are eligible for deduction under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code and which qualifies as a charitable risk pool under section 501(n) of the internal revenue code.

Enacts the "freelance isn't free act"; provides for the payment of freelance workers as independent contractors, including requiring written contracts; timely payment of compensation and handling controversies relating to payment, complaint procedures, and penalties; excludes construction contracts.

Permits a claimant to submit an order determining compensation from the workers' compensation board as proof of disability for purposes of real property tax exemptions.

Enhances the scope of health equity impact assessments to require consideration of reproductive health services and maternal health care.

Prohibits any person, corporation, association, or other entity from slaughtering a horse where such person, corporation, association, or other entity knows or has reason to know that such horse will be used for human or animal consumption; prohibits any person, corporation, association, or other entity from possessing, selling, importing, etc,, a horse or horseflesh if such person, corporation, association, or other entity knows or should have known that any part of such horse or horseflesh will be used for human or animal consumption; provides penalties for violation.

Enacts the "roadway excavation quality assurance act"; relates to workers on excavations; provides that utility companies or their contractors shall use competent workers and shall pay the prevailing wage on projects where a permit to use, excavate, or open a street is required to be issued.

Prohibits the application of pesticides to certain local freshwater wetlands for local governments that have implemented a freshwater wetlands protection law; provides that any local law or ordinance adopted pursuant to this section shall take effect on the first day of January after it shall have been adopted.

Directs the empire state development corporation to conduct a study on the feasibility of a minority and women-owned business enterprise capacity mentorship program.

Provides certain legal protections for reproductive health service providers who provide legally protected health activities including protection from extradition, arrest and legal proceedings in other states relating to such services; restricts the use of evidence relating to the involvement of a party in providing legally protected health activity to persons located out-of-state.