Asm. Harvey Epstein

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 4435) establishes the New York State Muslim American Advisory Council to advise the state legislature on policies affecting Muslim Americans. The 10-member council, appointed from community organizations and legislative leaders, will provide recommendations to improve civic participation, integration (socially, educationally, culturally, and economically), and communication between state agencies and Muslim communities. The council must submit an annual report with factual findings and recommendations to the legislature within 16 months of its creation.

Requires health practitioners to discuss with patients the risks associated with certain pain medications before prescribing such medications; requires that for the first opioid analgesic prescription of a calendar year the prescribing physician shall counsel the patient on the risks of overdose.

Requires motorists to exercise care to avoid colliding with any domestic or companion animal; increases fines and penalties for causing such injury and for leaving the scene of injury to certain animals without reporting.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts infant car seats from state sales tax and use tax. It directly affects parents and caregivers purchasing these safety devices for infants. The law adds a specific tax exemption category to the tax code, removing tax liability for car seats meeting the definition in vehicle safety regulations. As a result, buyers will pay no tax on qualifying infant car seats at the point of sale.

Legalizes adult possession and use of certain natural plant or fungus-based hallucinogens; grants certain protections for individuals lawfully using such hallucinogens; removes such hallucinogens from the list of schedule I controlled substances; makes related provisions.

Decreases the frequency of lock-down drills in schools; directs that such drills shall be implemented with a trauma-informed approach; permits parents to opt their children out of such drills.

Requires certain public schools in any city with a population over one million to offer Halal food options during lunch to students with dietary restrictions free of charge.

Requires law enforcement agencies to store physical or other evidence it maintains within fireproof containers or within a fireproof storage area; requires law enforcement agencies to document and photograph evidence before it is stored in a fireproof container or storage area; requires that such documents and photographs be stored in a different location.

Exempts a person from a money judgment arising from an action in another state for knowingly engaging in conduct that aids or abets the performance or inducement of an abortion.

Requires municipalities to include an Affordable Housing Needs Assessment to establish a data-based foundation for the creation and preservation of affordable housing in the municipality, utilizing the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development median income calculations, in their comprehensive plans.