Asm. John Zaccaro

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the definition of "period of war" for a veterans' property tax exemption to include recent military service. It adds specific conflicts: the Global War on Terrorism (starting September 11, 2001), and U.S. military operations in Somalia (1992-1994), Bosnia (1995-2004), and Kosovo (1999-1999) to the existing list. Veterans who served during these newly defined periods will now qualify for the tax exemption. The change directly affects veterans whose service falls within these added conflict dates. The bill amends existing law to clarify which military service periods count for the exemption.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 8810) extends accidental death benefits to children of qualifying public safety workers who were under age 25 when the worker died. Previously, benefits for children ended at age 18 or 23 (if a student), but this change provides lifetime benefits for those children. It applies to children of police officers, firefighters, EMTs, correction officers, and other emergency service workers covered under New York’s retirement systems. Benefits are calculated as the deceased worker’s salary minus other received death benefits and continue for the child’s lifetime without age restrictions.

Relates to the health, safety and human rights of incarcerated pregnant individuals, incarcerated birthing parents and their children; requires the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to establish rules and regulations relating to conditions in institutions and correctional facilities and the treatment and care of birthing parents in such institutions and facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits defendants from using "free speech" as a defense in criminal or civil cases involving the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. It amends New York's Penal Law and Civil Rights Law to explicitly state that such dissemination cannot be justified by claims of protected speech. The law directly affects individuals who share intimate images without consent and the victims seeking legal recourse. Key provisions remove a legal loophole that previously allowed defendants to argue First Amendment protections in these cases. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

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.

Maddy summaryBill A 8567 requires New York City marshals to complete an electronic filing within one business day after they serve a notice of eviction. This bill adds a digital reporting step to the eviction notification process within the city. It directly affects New York City marshals by creating a new administrative task for them when delivering eviction notices.

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.

Establishes a nonprofit news media jobs grant program within the newspaper and broadcast media jobs program to provide grants to support certain nonprofit media organizations which increase employees.

Relates to providing education and outreach programs related to home visiting programs which provide support for pregnant and parenting families, and have been proven to improve outcomes for mothers, infants, and families; provides that such information shall include information on services available from such programs, eligibility, and relevant contact information.

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.