Asm. Harvey Epstein

Maddy summaryThis bill requires transit authorities and their subsidiaries to ensure accessible buses (wheelchair-friendly) are available within a three-mile service area of any bus line. It mandates that 65% of all regularly operated buses must be accessible, achieved by requiring all newly purchased, leased, or brought-into-service buses (except those for temporary shortages) to be accessible until the 65% threshold is met. The law directly affects public transit agencies like the MTA, ensuring better access for transportation-disabled riders, including wheelchair users, on fixed-route bus services. Key provisions include the 65% accessibility target and the 3-mile service area requirement for accessible buses.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits law enforcement from using the possession of condoms or other reproductive health devices (like PrEP, lubricants, or emergency contraception) as evidence in court cases involving prostitution, sex trafficking, or related offenses. It directly affects individuals in sex trade or trafficking situations, particularly survivors of trafficking who face disproportionate targeting when condoms are seized as evidence. Key provisions amend laws to block such evidence in trials, hearings, and arrests, while requiring police training on these rules. The law aims to protect public health and reduce discriminatory impacts on vulnerable communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state-approved program for nonpartisan poll monitors in New York elections. Civic organizations (groups focused on voter education and election integrity) and ballot issue committees (groups promoting specific ballot measures) can appoint up to two monitors per polling place, but must first get approval from the State Board of Elections. To qualify, organizations must prove they've maintained a New York office for over a year, provide voter rights training materials, and have monitors sign a pledge to remain nonpartisan. The State Board must approve or deny applications 32-45 days before an election, with limited appeal options. The program aims to provide independent oversight of polling places while ensuring monitors follow strict neutrality rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a statewide process to streamline approvals for specific upgrades to existing wireless infrastructure, such as adding or replacing antennas on current towers or base stations. It exempts these "eligible modifications" from requiring local zoning or land use permits, which typically involve municipal review and delays. The goal is to accelerate broadband and advanced wireless service deployment by creating a uniform state-level permitting system. Local governments retain authority over other aspects of wireless facility siting under existing laws, but cannot impose additional permitting requirements for these specific upgrades.

Establishes a tax credit for individuals who serve or are employed as a direct support professional, or direct care worker, up to five thousand dollars for taxpayers who make less than fifty thousand dollars and phased out for individuals who make over one hundred thousand dollars.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a requirement for workers with permanent partial disabilities to prove ongoing "labor market attachment" to receive ongoing compensation benefits. It directly affects injured workers who have been classified as permanently partially disabled due to work-related injuries. The key change eliminates the need for these claimants to demonstrate continued workforce engagement to maintain benefits, while keeping the existing compensation rate (66.67% of lost wages) and maximum benefit duration limits based on the severity of disability. The bill applies to cases with injury dates after the effective date of related 2017 legislation.

Lowers the voting age to 16 years; requires that students receive education in civics and be given the opportunity to register to vote in the classroom.

Directs the chief administrative judge of the New York unified court system to conduct a study on the office of court administration's housing court guardian ad litem program and to publish a report on such study.

Creates parity for incarcerated individual telephone services for international calls to family members outside continental United States, Canada, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam or Central Northern Mariana Islands by requiring identical restrictions on the duration or number of phone calls and use of unit or facility phones made available to incarcerated individuals who are calling family members who are not outside continental United States, Canada, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam or Central Northern Mariana Islands.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes permanent a 2022 law that grants "preferred source status" to businesses providing employment to certain persons (like veterans or individuals with disabilities) when those businesses bid on state government contracts. It removes the original 3-year expiration date from the 2022 law, ensuring the preferred status remains in effect indefinitely. The provision directly affects state government contractors who employ these specific groups, giving them priority in procurement processes. It does not create new eligibility criteria but extends the existing rule permanently. The law applies to new contracts issued after the effective date, not to existing contracts or requests for proposals.