Asm. Harvey Epstein

Requires contracting agencies to contact minority and women-owned business enterprises when such enterprise is listed on a utilization plan and when a contract is awarded; mandates that the contractor use such enterprise identified on the utilization plan, unless such enterprise cannot perform or is no longer state certified.

Directs the New York State Department of Labor to establish a voluntary training and certification program for employers entitled the Neurodiversity Training Pledge.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal framework for protective orders targeting severe stalking behavior, directly affecting victims (petitioners) and alleged stalkers (respondents). It establishes temporary and final "anti-stalking orders" that prohibit contact, surveillance, and remote control of connected devices (like smart home systems), requiring respondents to stay away from victims' homes, workplaces, or schools. The law defines "stalking" broadly to include offenses like harassment, assault, identity theft, and unauthorized sharing of intimate images, requiring a "course of conduct" (two or more acts within 90 days) to trigger the order. Courts must issue temporary orders the same day if an immediate threat exists, with final orders requiring a hearing to confirm evidence supports the petition.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the commercial farming of octopuses in the state for human consumption. It defines "aquaculture" as farming aquatic organisms under controlled conditions and explicitly excludes wild-caught octopuses and research-related farming. The law bans any person from engaging in octopus farming for food, with violations subject to fines up to $1,000 per day and offense. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryBill A 5846 provides remedies for disruptions during early voting or Election Day voting, directly affecting voters and the Boards of Elections. It mandates that if voting at a polling place or district is delayed for over 15 consecutive minutes, the Board of Elections must extend the voting timeframe to compensate for the lost time. This extension can happen on the same day or a subsequent voting day, potentially at alternative locations. The bill also requires the Board of Elections to widely publicize any such remedial actions taken, though they can vote to waive the extension under specific, documented circumstances.

Establishes an indirect source review for heavy distribution warehouse operations; requires the department of environmental conservation to conduct a study regarding zero-emissions zones.

Establishes the cesarean births review board; provides such board shall be comprised of multidisciplinary experts to review the rate of cesarean births at hospitals in the state; provides reporting requirements.

Provides that certain purchase contracts to purchase food can be awarded to a qualified bidder who fulfills certain values based procurement standards when such bid is not more than 10% higher than the lowest responsible bidder and when the bidder makes publicly available data on where such bidder sources their food items; sets forth the criteria for values based procurement standards to include local economies, environmental resilience, racial equity, valued workforce, valued agricultural sector, animal welfare, and nutrition.

Enacts the empire state licensing act to provide all New Yorkers with access to professional, occupational, commercial, or business licenses, permits, certificates, or related registrations regardless of an applicant's citizenship or immigration status.

Relates to the provision of breast pumps and related collection and storage materials to certain incarcerated nursing birth parents who are confined in or committed to an institution or local correctional facility with or without their child subject to specific time limitations; requires institutions and local correctional facilities to provide pumps and related materials to such incarcerated birth parents; requires the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to issue an annual report on data relating to incarcerated birth parents.