Asm. Jeffrey Dinowitz

Maddy summaryThis bill requires election commissioners and key staff at county election boards to complete mandatory training. New commissioners must finish a 30-hour initial course within six months of appointment, while all staff must complete a 3-hour annual refresher by June 1 each year. The state board of elections will develop the curriculum and provide training, including web-based options. Failure to complete training results in the state board notifying the county legislature, city council, and local party chair.

Relates to prohibiting contract provisions that waive certain substantive and procedural rights relating to a claim of discrimination, non-payment of wages or benefits, retaliation, harassment or violation of public policy in employment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York school districts to develop and implement age-appropriate hate crime awareness curriculum. It mandates that the state education commissioner, working with the Division of Human Rights, create content covering discrimination, religious intolerance (including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia), and positive actions to promote inclusion. School districts may integrate this curriculum into existing social studies programs or other suitable formats. The law applies directly to all public school districts and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Creates a distinctive license plate for veterans honoring Borinqueneers; defines "veteran" as a person who is a resident of this state, who served in the armed forces of the United States, and was honorably discharged from the armed forces, or has a qualifying condition, as defined in section one of the veterans' services law, and has received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from such service, or is a discharged LGBT veteran, as defined in section one of the veterans' services law, and has received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from such service.

Relates to establishing an abatement and exemption from real property taxes for capital improvements to reduce carbon emissions; establishes an energy efficiency improvement board to approve the abatements and exemptions.

Expands felony sex offenses to include promoting prostitution in the second degree, promoting prostitution in the first degree, compelling prostitution, sex trafficking, and sex trafficking of a child.

Requires the notification of a crime victim or witness of the death of the accused if such person dies during pending judicial proceedings or during any period of incarceration, parole or post-release supervision, or when an order of protection exists.

Requires merchants to accept cash as payment for goods and services; permits the superintendent of financial services to provide exemptions based on certain criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires life insurance applicants to provide medical history at application through a physician's statement or medical records. If insurers accept the application based on this disclosure, they cannot later cancel the policy or reject the application due to the disclosed medical conditions. It directly protects applicants with pre-existing health conditions who voluntarily share their medical history upfront. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Allows employers to request or require a prospective or current employee to execute a restrictive covenant not to engage in specified acts in competition with the employer after termination of the employment relationship as a condition of employment, continued employment, or with respect to severance pay.