Asm. Harvey Epstein

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 4999) prohibits the retail sale of tobacco products with non-tobacco flavors (like fruit, mint, chocolate, or menthol) and accessories that add such flavors. It directly affects all licensed tobacco retailers, businesses, and vendors operating under New York's tax law. Violations carry a civil fine of up to $500 per incident, and the law explicitly bans law enforcement from stopping or questioning people about purchasing or possessing these products. The policy aims to restrict flavored tobacco access while defining "characterizing flavor" broadly to cover any distinct non-tobacco taste.

Requires applicants for registration of hybrid vehicles to submit proof of the make, model and model year of the motor vehicle for which registration is being applied, to the commissioner; establishes that after such proof is submitted, certificates of registration shall display the markings "qualified hybrid vehicle" and such vehicle's US EPA highway fuel economy rating of 45 mpg or more.

Relates to a state transportation plan; requires such plan include a minimum twenty-year forecast period at the time of adoption, assessing long-range needs spanning such period, including a forecast of highway pavement and bridge conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school districts in cities with over 1 million residents to establish dedicated schools for students with dyslexia and related phonemic language learning differences. These schools must use multi-sensory sequential phonics techniques in all elementary and secondary grades. Additionally, teachers at these schools must complete at least 20 hours of specialized training in this teaching method. The law directly affects dyslexic students in large-city school districts and mandates specific instructional approaches. It takes effect July 1 following enactment.

Requires employers of retail, food service or cleaning employees to give such employees 7 days' notice of their work schedule and a month's notice of the minimum hours of work; provides a private right of action to employees who are aggrieved by certain violations of such provisions.

Eliminates criminal and civil penalties for possession of controlled substances; establishes the drug decriminalization task force to develop recommendations for reforming state laws, regulations and practices so that they align with the stated goal of treating substance use disorder as a disease, rather than a criminal behavior.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York healthcare facilities providing birthing services to implement specific protocols when a stillbirth occurs. It mandates facilities to assign a primary physician to communicate with families, provide bereavement support (including memory boxes with keepsakes like handprints and photographs), and offer sensitive counseling. The bill also establishes a confidential state database collecting anonymized stillbirth data - including maternal health history, fetal evaluation details, and autopsy findings - to identify causes and prevention strategies. All collected data will be publicly accessible on the health department website in non-identifiable form, while facilities must comply with these protocols as a condition of licensure.

Increases the minimum wage outside of New York city and the counties of Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester; repeals certain provisions of law relating to exceptions to minimum wage increases.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies how "floor area" is measured for residential buildings under housing regulations. It specifies that spaces with higher ceilings (e.g., 12-24 feet tall count twice) are included multiple times in floor area calculations, while excluding cellars, low attics, outdoor balconies, parking spaces, and mechanical equipment areas (except where noted). It directly affects housing developers, building inspectors, and property owners who must comply with these measurement rules for zoning and construction. The changes apply to all residential buildings covered by the Multiple Dwelling Law, ensuring consistent application of floor area definitions.

Prohibits the city school district from reimbursing charter schools for leasing a privately owned or other publicly owned facility; prohibits charter school employee contracts from including a non-disclosure agreement.