Asm. Rebecca Seawright

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates mandatory minimum prison sentences for certain offenses, replacing them with judicial discretion to determine appropriate sentences based on individual circumstances. It requires courts to provide written explanations for sentencing decisions and mandates that pre-sentence reports include analysis of incarceration costs to the state. Defendants gain expanded access to pre-sentence reports used in sentencing decisions, and judges must consider rehabilitation and community safety goals rather than fixed minimum terms. The law applies to felony sentencing under New York's penal and criminal procedure laws, directly affecting judges, defendants, and the state correctional system.

Enacts "Ella's law"; requires care managers employed by or under contract with a care coordination organization to provide care management services to an individual unless such care manager has completed all training requirements.

Directs the office for people with developmental disabilities to conduct a study on the feasibility of establishing, implementing and expanding additional housing models that support independent living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; requires the office to submit a report on such study to the governor, the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a licensing system for laser hair removal technicians in New York. It requires technicians to obtain a state license, sets training standards including a state-approved curriculum and minimum procedure hours, and mandates $1 million in liability insurance for businesses offering these services. The law also creates a complaint hotline for customers reporting safety issues and forms an advisory committee with industry representatives to help develop regulations. These requirements directly affect anyone practicing laser hair removal in New York and the businesses employing them.

Relates to providing information to patients and the public on hospital rule-based exclusions; requires the commissioner of health to collect from each hospital a list of its hospital rule-based exclusions and publish such information on the department's website.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows victims of certain misdemeanor offenses to make statements at sentencing. Specifically, it applies when a defendant pleads guilty to a misdemeanor related to a vehicle traffic offense that originally involved a felony charge resulting in serious physical injury to the victim. Victims must request this statement at least 10 days before sentencing, and the court must notify the defendant at least 7 days in advance. If the defendant doesn't receive timely notice, they may request a sentencing delay. The bill does not apply to all misdemeanors, only those tied to specific traffic-related felony charges with serious injury.

Provides that the court shall not reduce jury awards as excessive in employment discrimination actions unless the court finds exceptional circumstances which compel the conclusion that the jury was influenced by partiality, prejudice, mistake or corruption or that remittitur or additur is necessary to avoid a complete miscarriage of justice.

Requires the New York state bridge authority, the Thousand Islands bridge authority, the Nassau county bridge authority, the Ogdensburg bridge authority, and the New York state thruway authority to develop a feasibility study to promote bicycle and pedestrian access on bridges and provide a report to the governor, temporary president of the senate, speaker of the assembly, and the public a copy of such plan.

Relates to the convening of a human services employee wage board; requires the commissioner of labor to convene a human services employee wage board comprised of twelve members; requires the wage board to hold hearings and report and make recommendations to the governor and legislature no later than December 31, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans to cover specific asthma treatments and education. It mandates coverage for rescue inhalers, spacers, nebulizers, and related equipment for all policyholders, with additional school supplies for children under 19. Insurance must also cover asthma self-management education - taught by certified providers - during diagnosis, when symptoms change significantly, or for refresher sessions, including home visits when medically necessary. The coverage applies to all policies issued or renewed after the effective date, subject to standard deductibles and coinsurance. This directly affects people with asthma and their families who rely on insurance for treatment.