Asm. Rebecca Seawright

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state prisons and detention centers to provide incarcerated individuals with free voice communication services, such as phone calls, without charging them or their families. It explicitly prohibits correctional facilities from earning any revenue from these communications and mandates that in-person visit programs continue to operate alongside these services. The law applies to contracts signed on or after April 1, 2025, and ensures that any existing contracts for these services must end by March 31, 2025.

Relates to electronic financial disclosures of members and candidates of the legislature; requires creation of electronic version of disclosure statement; directs the commission on ethics and lobbying in government shall make available an editable, electronic, readable and searchable version of the annual statement of financial disclosure by January 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits drivers of school buses carrying students from using hands-free mobile telephones while operating the vehicle. The law allows for exceptions in emergency situations or when the bus is parked away from a public highway for purposes other than dropping off or picking up students. Additionally, the restrictions do not apply to emergency responders, police officers, or other authorized personnel performing their official duties. The changes will take effect sixty days after the bill becomes law.

Requires certain documents and forms to be provided in the twelve most common non-English languages spoken by limited English proficient immigrants of five years or less according to the American community survey, as published by the United States census bureau.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates election laws to guide local boards of elections in selecting specific locations for early voting and voter registration. It allows religious buildings to serve as polling places without requiring them to open on Saturdays if this conflicts with their beliefs, while mandating that public school buildings never be used for early voting. Additionally, the legislation requires that public buildings be used for voting whenever possible and outlines procedures for ensuring accessibility for disabled voters, including a process for building owners to request cancellation of a polling place designation if it would unreasonably interfere with their normal operations.

Prohibits discrimination against and harassment or bullying of students by employees or students on private, religious or denominational school property or at a school function; provides immunity from civil liability for a person making a good faith report of discrimination, harassment or bullying to authorities.

Requires a caller making a report of suspected child abuse or maltreatment to the central registry to leave their name and contact information; prohibits the office of children and family services from releasing information identifying a person who made such a report.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that test reports for lead-based paint be disclosed during the sale of residential real estate in New York State. It applies to all properties built before 1978 and mandates that inspection results be shared with buyers to ensure they are aware of potential hazards before completing a transaction. By adding a new article to the Real Property Law, the legislation aims to create a statewide registry of these test results, making information about lead risks more accessible to future renters and purchasers. The act is designed to complement existing federal disclosure rules and local testing requirements, particularly in New York City, by ensuring consistent transparency across the entire state.

Provides for annual adjustment of the maximum income threshold for eligibility for the senior citizen rent increase exemption (SCRIE), disability rent increase exemption (DRIE), senior citizen homeowners' exemption (SCHE), and disabled homeowners' exemption (DHE) by any increase in the consumer price index (CPI).

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the amount of savings individuals can keep while still qualifying for Medicaid in New York. Under the new rules, people can retain up to $300,000 in savings, which is a significant increase from the previous limit tied to 150% of the income threshold. The change specifically applies to disabled individuals aged 16 to 65 who meet certain income requirements and contribute to their medical costs. The legislation will take effect on January 1, 2025, provided the federal government agrees to share in the cost of the program.