Asm. Harvey Epstein

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New York's criminal procedure to automatically grant "youthful offender" status to eligible minors convicted of misdemeanors in local courts, provided they have no prior criminal convictions or youthful offender status. If these conditions are met, the court must classify them as youthful offenders at sentencing, preventing a permanent criminal record and limiting potential prison time to under four years. The law applies immediately to all future misdemeanor convictions meeting these criteria. It directly affects young people aged 16-20 (as defined by law) who commit minor offenses without prior legal history.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates August 31st of every year as "Overdose Awareness Day" in New York State. It adds this date to the existing list of official commemorative days in the executive law, alongside other observances like Juneteenth and Holocaust Remembrance Day. The bill does not create new policies, funding, or requirements - it simply establishes an annual day of remembrance focused on overdose prevention and awareness. This designation directly affects New York State residents and government entities, which may choose to recognize the day through official proclamations or events. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Requires maternal health care providers facilitate a screening for maternal depression, unless refused by the birth mother, within the first six weeks of birth and that such screening be covered by insurance.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public schools with 100 or more enrolled students to have a registered professional nurse physically present on-site during all school hours. It amends education law to mandate that school boards ensure this nurse is available to assist with student health needs, including emergencies and health instruction. The requirement directly affects schools meeting the enrollment threshold, ensuring consistent health support for students during school days.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all nonpresidential primary elections (state, local, and federal) starting in 2027 to use ranked choice voting when more than two candidates run. Voters rank candidates by preference on a single ballot; if no candidate gets a majority, the lowest-ranked candidate is eliminated in rounds until two remain for the general election, regardless of party affiliation. It directly affects voters in multi-candidate primaries and election officials who must implement the new ballot system and voter education. The bill aims to ensure the top two general election candidates have majority support without separate runoff elections.

Suspends the registration of a vehicle which has been documented five times within an eighteen month period by a photo violation monitoring device for failure of an operator thereof to comply with traffic-control indications for a period of ninety days.

Relates to providing hazard payments to essential workers during a state disaster emergency; provides that certain employers shall make hazard payments to essential workers during a state disaster emergency provided no hazard payment shall exceed twenty-five thousand dollars in any year for any essential worker earning less than two hundred thousand dollars per year or five thousand dollars for any essential worker earning more than two hundred thousand dollars.

Requires law enforcement agents and peace officers to record information in their memo books pertaining to the race of persons with whom they have meaningful interactions.

Establishes an "operation SNUG" program within the division of criminal justice services which provides grant awards to reduce, prevent or respond to gun violence.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes clear rules for Medicaid coverage of specialized medical equipment called "complex rehabilitation technology" (e.g., customized wheelchairs, adaptive seating) for individuals with severe disabilities like spinal cord injuries or cerebral palsy. It defines "complex needs patients," sets strict requirements for suppliers (including accreditation, on-site evaluations, and repair services), and mandates Medicaid to create proper billing procedures. The bill ensures reimbursement rates account for the high costs of these devices and requires managed care organizations to follow these rules. Its goal is to guarantee reliable access to necessary equipment for qualifying patients.