Asm. Harvey Epstein

Maddy summaryThis bill requires restaurants to meet specific nutrition standards for meals, food, or beverages sold with incentive items (like toys, games, or digital rewards) targeted at children. Restaurants may only offer these incentives if the accompanying food meets standards set by the health commissioner, covering calories, sodium, fat, sugar, and requiring fruits, vegetables, or whole grains. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $2,500 for repeated offenses. The law directly affects all restaurants serving the public, including fast food and cafes, that distribute such items to children.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits involuntary servitude and forced labor in all New York state and local correctional facilities, directly affecting incarcerated individuals. It amends the Civil Rights Law to explicitly ban slavery, involuntary servitude, and forced labor for all people in New York - including those convicted of crimes - and adds a new Correction Law section prohibiting any labor compelled through force, threats, or adverse actions (like disciplinary measures). The law makes it illegal for facilities to require labor against an individual's will using coercion or fear of punishment. This represents a concrete legal change to end forced labor practices within New York's prison system.

Relates to the purchase of zero-emission buses and the procurement of electric-powered buses, vehicles or other related equipment and infrastructure; requires public utilities to have infrastructure, capacity, facilities, and transmission and distribution systems needed to supply power for the charging of zero-emission buses and provides a tariff for charging of electric buses.

Relates to human-relevant research funding for scientific testing on animals to promote human-relevant research alternatives to scientific animal testing and establishes the promoting ethical testing solutions fund.

Enacts the manufacturer disclosure and transparency act requiring prescription drug manufacturers to notify the attorney general of arrangements between pharmaceutical manufacturers resulting in the delay of the introduction of generic medications.

Waives Unemployment Pandemic Benefits repayments in whole or in part if the payment of such pandemic unemployment assistance was without fault on the part of the claimant and such repayment would be contrary to equity and good conscience.

Suspends all unnecessary travel to states that have discriminatory laws for access to women's reproductive health services, including but not limited to, limitations on access to abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.

Requires certain watercraft, aircrafts, and trains to use clean energy, including ensuring such vehicles are zero-emissions; requires NYSERDA to study zero-emission commercial vehicles, the use of renewable energy in publicly funded airports, and the use of sustainable aviation fuel; requires NYSERDA to administer a grant program to flying schools and clubs that install charging infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1341) creates a New York state mobile application for Medicaid-eligible individuals who are pregnant, postpartum, or seeking prenatal care. The app must provide New York-specific health resources, program links, and multilingual support, developed through a competitive state contract. Developers must share anonymized usage data (like user numbers and engagement) with lawmakers but cannot sell or share personal user information. The app must meet state health standards and be accessible across all mobile platforms.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new civil lawsuit pathway for individuals whose constitutional or federal rights were violated by government actors (such as police, courts, or public officials). It allows victims to sue for damages and court-ordered remedies, removes common defenses like "I thought it was legal," and requires courts to award attorney fees to winning plaintiffs - even if the case settles without a formal judgment. Public entities (like cities or state agencies) must cover their employees' legal costs if sued under this law, and lawsuits must be filed within three years of the violation. It directly affects people harmed by government overreach, ensuring they have a clear legal route to seek redress for rights violations.