Asm. Jeffrey Dinowitz

Requires employment and consumer dispute arbitrations to be submitted to neutral third party arbitrators; establishes prohibited arbitration agreements and provisions; requires disclosure of information by certain arbitrators.

Establishes the "New York state lead-safe renovation, repair and painting act"; establishes standards for lead-safe renovation, repair and painting of residential properties; requires documentation of compliance with such standards.

Relates to physician charges for missed appointments by patients; bars physicians from charging fees if a patient arrives on time for appointment but was not seen; requires written policy about missed appointments be prominently posted in patient waiting room and included in bills mailed to patients.

Relates to requiring employers to obtain an acknowledgement of receipt from employees of their sexual harassment prevention policy and sexual harassment prevention training program in writing in English and in employees' primary languages; requires employers to obtain acknowledgements from employees and keep such acknowledgements for six years.

Provides that arbitration awards in consumer and employment disputes, where the arbitration is conducted pursuant to a contract, shall include all issues in dispute and the arbitrator's findings of fact and conclusions of law.

Requires children enrolled in an overnight camp, summer day camp, or travelling summer day camp to be vaccinated against a specified list of diseases.

Maddy summaryBill A1214 prohibits New York employers from requiring job applicants or employees to waive legal rights (such as claims under state or federal law) as a condition of employment. It directly affects all employers and job seekers in New York State by banning pre-employment agreements that diminish rights like wage claims or discrimination protections. The law specifically excludes collective bargaining agreements with labor unions. This creates a clear legal requirement that employers cannot force individuals to give up existing or future legal claims to secure a job. The bill takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Prohibits mandatory arbitration agreements in consumer and employment contracts; repeals existing provisions prohibiting mandatory arbitration clauses in certain consumer contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers to provide new employees with clear, plain-language explanations about mandatory arbitration clauses before they sign employment contracts. Employers must explain what an arbitration clause means in simple terms, especially for contracts signed electronically or by mail, and include a link to a plain-language explanation. If a contract contains a prohibited mandatory arbitration clause (as defined by the bill), that specific clause is void, though other contract terms remain enforceable. The law applies to all new employment contracts entered into after the effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires level three sex offenders and sexual predators who are transient (have no fixed residence) to register with local law enforcement every 30 days instead of the standard 90-day requirement. Transient offenders must provide detailed information about where they sleep, eat, work, and spend leisure time, updating this only during their next required registration. The law also specifies that transients entering New York from another jurisdiction must register within five working days and must notify authorities of out-of-state moves within five business days. These provisions apply specifically to offenders without a permanent residence, with registration duties resuming upon release from confinement.