Asm. Chantel Jackson

Provides for securities fraud whistleblower incentives and protections; defines terms; grants whistleblower awards for one or more whistleblowers who voluntarily provide original information to the attorney general that was the basis for a successful covered enforcement action; protects whistleblowers from retaliation; authorizes the attorney general to adopt any necessary rules and regulations; makes related provisions.

Makes the crime of preventing an elected official from performing a lawful duty or essential service a class D felony of assault in the second degree.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all voting systems in New York to use durable paper ballots that withstand recounts without damage and retain voter marks for the full retention period. It mandates that every polling place must offer voters either a hand-marked paper ballot or a nontabulating ballot marking device (which doesn’t record votes electronically). The bill explicitly bans voting machines with wireless capabilities, internet connectivity, or encoded marks like QR/barcodes that require special devices to read. These provisions ensure voter-verifiable paper records remain the standard for audits and recounts.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 4999) prohibits the retail sale of tobacco products with non-tobacco flavors (like fruit, mint, chocolate, or menthol) and accessories that add such flavors. It directly affects all licensed tobacco retailers, businesses, and vendors operating under New York's tax law. Violations carry a civil fine of up to $500 per incident, and the law explicitly bans law enforcement from stopping or questioning people about purchasing or possessing these products. The policy aims to restrict flavored tobacco access while defining "characterizing flavor" broadly to cover any distinct non-tobacco taste.

Requires persons and parents of children who test positive for sickle cell disease are informed of such diagnosis and provided with educational materials; establishes a registry of persons with sickle cell disease; requires the department of health issue an annual report on sickle cell disease.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools in the state to create dedicated calming spaces for students. These spaces must be available for activities such as praying, meditating, or calming themselves, as specified in the bill text. Schools must develop policies and procedures to implement these spaces by the effective date (July 1, 2025). The law applies broadly to all covered educational institutions statewide, with implementation authorized to occur before the effective date. It does not mandate specific design or funding but requires policy development for the designated use.

Eliminates criminal and civil penalties for possession of controlled substances; establishes the drug decriminalization task force to develop recommendations for reforming state laws, regulations and practices so that they align with the stated goal of treating substance use disorder as a disease, rather than a criminal behavior.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes specific facts that can serve as presumptive evidence for hate crimes under New York law. It directly affects prosecutors building hate crime cases by allowing four scenarios to be used as presumptive evidence: (1) the defendant made statements about protected characteristics (race, gender, religion, etc.) during the offense, (2) the defendant has a documented pattern of prejudice against the same protected class, (3) the victim was part of a outnumbered group in the area, or (4) bias symbols were left at the crime scene. The bill clarifies that proof of protected characteristics alone isn’t sufficient evidence but provides these specific, concrete circumstances to support hate crime claims. It does not change the legal definition of hate crimes but outlines clear, objective factors prosecutors may use to establish them.

Adds cargo bicycles with electric assist to the types of bicycles with electric assist regulated under the vehicle and traffic law; provides that no person shall operate a cargo bicycle with electric assist unless it is accompanied by proof of financial security unless otherwise authorized by local law, ordinance, order, rule, or regulation or pursuant to an agreement made on behalf of the city, town, or village.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 7370) designates March 8 as "Women's Day" in New York State, adding it to the official list of public holidays under the General Construction Law. It directly affects state employees and businesses that observe public holidays, requiring them to close or provide paid time off on March 8. The key provision amends Section 24 of the law to explicitly include "the eighth day of March, known as Women's day" alongside existing holidays like New Year's Day and Independence Day. The change would take effect immediately upon enactment.