Asm. George Alvarez

Maddy summaryThis bill sets new requirements for who can supervise mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists in New York. It specifies that supervisors must have at least three years of active licensure, diagnostic privileges, and 36 hours of specialized training in supervision ethics. The bill also clarifies that supervised experience gained under certain department waivers - such as in settings operating under temporary authorization - can count toward licensing requirements. These changes apply directly to professionals seeking licensure and those providing supervision in the mental health counseling field.

Provides that persons charged with a parking violation shall be able to make an electronic court appearance unless a locality elects not to permit electronic appearances.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits employers from asking job applicants about their student loan payment history or using that information to make hiring decisions. It directly affects job applicants, particularly those with student debt, by preventing employment discrimination based on their loan status. The law includes an exception for employers required by state/federal law or financial regulations to check this information. The bill applies to all employers except those in specific regulated industries like finance. It becomes effective immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires chain restaurants with 15+ locations in New York to display a specific sodium warning icon and text next to menu items exceeding 2,300mg of sodium (the daily recommended limit). The warning states: "Warning indicates that the sodium (salt) content of this item is higher than the total daily recommended limit (2300 mg)." Chain restaurants must report sodium content for menu items quarterly, and the state health department must develop the required icon within one year. Violations carry a $250 daily penalty per non-compliant location. The requirement applies to standard menu items, including combo meals, but exempts restaurants already using comparable sodium labels under other jurisdictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 9571) increases family leave benefits under New York's workers' compensation law, directly affecting eligible employees taking leave for medical care, bonding with a newborn, or military family exigencies. It gradually raises weekly benefit percentages (from 50% to 67% of average weekly wage) and extends maximum leave duration (from 8 to 12 weeks) over time, with specific phased-in dates starting in 2018. Covered employers must provide these enhanced benefits while maintaining health insurance coverage during leave. The changes apply to employees meeting eligibility criteria under the law, with the Superintendent of Financial Services retaining limited authority to delay increases.

Requires a motion picture theater that offers more than ten motion picture showings per week to provide scheduled showings of motion pictures with open motion picture captioning such that at least one quarter of all showings of a motion picture with four or more showings during a one-week time period shall have open motion picture captioning; provides exceptions and penalties for violations.

Creates the New York electronic communications privacy act; requires government agents and agencies to obtain a search warrant for physical or electronic access to electronic device information.

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.

Grants employees access to personnel records; requires notice of negative information in such records and an opportunity for a review; permits employee to include certain information in personnel records.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates fire marshals working in the Long Island Rail Road Company's Office of Fire Marshals as peace officers under New York law. It grants them peace officer status specifically when performing their official duties related to fires, fire extinguishment, and fire perils. The designation does not authorize firearm possession without a separate license under penal law. The change is limited to their fire-related duties and does not alter existing firearm regulations.