Asm. Chantel Jackson

Enacts the "faith-based affordable housing act" for development on residential land; defines terms; provides that each village, town, and city shall allow the construction and occupation of residential buildings on any covered site up to the specified densities; provides that all residential buildings constructed pursuant to this section in a town, village, or city with fewer than one million inhabitants shall set aside twenty percent of the residential floor area for households earning an average of eighty percent of area median income; outlines the densities for New York city; makes related provisions.

Requires the administration for children's services and New York city public school employees provide a verbal and written warning to students of such student's right to refuse an interview and right to have a supportive adult during the interview.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 327) changes the felony murder rule in New York law by requiring defendants to be over 25 years old to face felony murder charges. It directly affects individuals under 25 who commit certain violent crimes - like robbery, burglary, or kidnapping - that result in death. The key provision amends the penal law to add an age threshold: only defendants aged 25 or older can be charged with felony murder when causing death during these specific offenses. This eliminates felony murder liability for under-25 defendants in the listed scenarios, though it does not change liability for other murder charges.

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.

Relates to requiring the Department of Homeless Services to notify the affected community board prior to locating transitional housing for the homeless; requires written notification sixty days before the department enters into a contractual arrangement with a transitional housing provider or otherwise finalizes its decision to use or expand a location as transitional housing.

Includes Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases as occupational diseases for purposes of workers' compensation; clarifies that disability includes disability caused by Lyme disease or other tick-borne diseases; requires insurance coverage of long term medical care for Lyme disease and other tick borne diseases.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the New York State Office of Gun Violence Prevention and a Gun Violence Advisory Council. The office will coordinate state, local, and federal efforts to prevent gun violence, centralize grant funding, improve data collection on firearm injuries, and run public education campaigns. It requires an annual report to the governor and legislature on gun violence trends and prevention strategies. The advisory council, including survivors, healthcare providers, community leaders, and law enforcement, must advise the office quarterly. The bill directly affects all New Yorkers by establishing a dedicated state agency focused on data-driven prevention and community collaboration.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "abortion access fund" to support individuals seeking abortion services. It allows New York taxpayers to voluntarily contribute to the fund via their state income tax returns starting in 2027 (without reducing their tax liability), with the tax form including a dedicated line for this purpose. Funds will be used to cover financial and logistical barriers for abortion access, supporting nonprofits providing services like medical care and transportation. The bill includes strong privacy protections, prohibiting the state from requiring nonprofits to share personally identifying information about patients or staff. The comptroller must annually report on fund usage, including disbursement details and financial plans.