Asm. Rebecca Seawright

Requires transportation network companies to notify passengers who have reported an incident of sexual assault that occurred during a TNC prearranged trip that the TNC will not report such incident to law enforcement; requires TNCs to advise every passenger that reports an incident of sexual assault that occurred during a TNC prearranged trip of their right to make a report to local law enforcement or the state police.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires professional sports teams in New York to grant cheerleaders the same labor rights, benefits, and protections as other employees under state law. It directly affects cheerleaders who perform at professional sports games for teams based in the state, defining them as individuals doing acrobatics, dance, or similar promotional performances. The key provision mandates teams to provide these protections for all services related to the team, including performances during games. The bill does not create new benefits but extends existing labor law coverage to this specific workforce.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates tax-advantaged savings accounts for small businesses, allowing them to deduct contributions (up to 10% of prior year's gross profits) and receive tax-free distributions during qualifying economic hardship. It directly affects eligible small businesses with 25 or fewer average full-time employees and under $250,000 annual net income. Key provisions include requiring hardship distributions to fund worker hiring or job retention, setting annual limits on qualified distributions, and mandating reinvestment plans for hardship withdrawals. The tax exemptions for contributions and qualified distributions begin in 2025, with penalties for misusing funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a requirement for workers with permanent partial disabilities to prove ongoing "labor market attachment" to receive ongoing compensation benefits. It directly affects injured workers who have been classified as permanently partially disabled due to work-related injuries. The key change eliminates the need for these claimants to demonstrate continued workforce engagement to maintain benefits, while keeping the existing compensation rate (66.67% of lost wages) and maximum benefit duration limits based on the severity of disability. The bill applies to cases with injury dates after the effective date of related 2017 legislation.

Enacts the "fair college admissions act"; prohibits legacy admissions policies at colleges and universities in New York; declares such policies and practices to be discriminatory and inequitable.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state agencies and contractors to recycle or reuse 25% of construction and demolition waste on public works sites for projects starting within one year of the law's effective date, and 50% for projects starting one year later. After project completion, contractors and state agencies must submit documented proof - including notarized affidavits from waste haulers or recyclers - to the state comptroller within 30 days to verify compliance. The law applies to state departments, universities (excluding community colleges), and specific state authorities managing public construction and demolition projects. It focuses on reducing landfill waste through mandatory recycling targets and clear reporting requirements.

Provides that absentee ballots for all elections shall be made available in Braille and large print, upon request of a blind or visually impaired voter no less than 30 days prior to each election day.

Lowers the voting age to 16 years; requires that students receive education in civics and be given the opportunity to register to vote in the classroom.

Includes fuel-flexible linear generators which do not utilize a fossil fuel resource in the process of generating electricity as qualifying as renewable energy systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes permanent a 2022 law that grants "preferred source status" to businesses providing employment to certain persons (like veterans or individuals with disabilities) when those businesses bid on state government contracts. It removes the original 3-year expiration date from the 2022 law, ensuring the preferred status remains in effect indefinitely. The provision directly affects state government contractors who employ these specific groups, giving them priority in procurement processes. It does not create new eligibility criteria but extends the existing rule permanently. The law applies to new contracts issued after the effective date, not to existing contracts or requests for proposals.