Asm. Rebecca Seawright

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for landlords who overcharge tenants in rent-regulated housing. If a landlord is found to have willfully overcharged, they must pay five times the overcharge amount (up from three times). Landlords can avoid the higher penalty by proving the overcharge was unintentional and not due to negligence, in which case they pay only the overcharge plus interest. The bill also clarifies that voluntary rent refunds after a complaint is filed cannot be used as evidence the overcharge was not willful.

Enacts the "forensic rehabilitation act" relating to the custody of individuals following a verdict or plea of not responsible by reason of mental disease or defect.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New York's parole process by requiring the state board of parole to consider specific factors before granting release. It mandates evaluation of rehabilitation efforts (like programs, therapy, and work assignments), release plans (including housing, jobs, and support services), and deportation status, while prohibiting decisions based mainly on victim statements or prior criminal records. Parole denials must include detailed written explanations, and the board must report quarterly to lawmakers with demographic data on denied cases (excluding individual identities). These changes aim to standardize parole decisions and increase transparency.

Establishes the "secure our data act"; relates to cybersecurity protection by state entities; requires the office of information technology services to develop standards for data protection of state entity-maintained information.

Imposes fines for failure to exercise due care and move over when approaching parked, stopped or standing motor vehicles on the shoulder of a highway.

Relates to increased participation in state contracts and subcontracts by certified minority and women-owned business enterprises; requires quarterly reports from contracting agencies; addresses consequences if contracting agency fails to comply with reporting requirements; relates to certain performance and payment bond requirements.

Requires the department of health to review claims for expenditures for early and periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment and other health services, care and supplies which are furnished to eligible children and pre-school children regardless of whether such children have handicapping conditions, are suspected of having handicapping conditions or have an individualized education plan; requires the department of health to apply for all necessary federal approvals regarding such expenditures.

Relates to requirements for a building owner to refuse to renew a lease under the real estate industry stabilization code; requires the owner of a building to be demolished to prove that such owner has the financial ability to complete demolition of the building.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New York's animal cruelty laws by clarifying key definitions (like "cruelty," "companion animal," and "farm animal") and repealing outdated sections of the Agriculture and Markets Law. It adds a new requirement that courts can order owners to post security for animal care costs when an animal is seized for cruelty charges. The law directly affects animal cruelty enforcement (including police, humane societies, and shelters), animal owners (especially regarding ear clipping), and courts handling animal-related cases. Key changes include strengthening officer authority to intervene in cruelty cases and specifying how costs for seized animals should be covered.

Enacts the "voting integrity and verification act of New York (VIVA NY)"; provides that each voter is entitled to the use of an individual, voter verifiable paper ballot of the voter's vote and the opportunity to mark it.