Asm. Karines Reyes

Creates parity for incarcerated individual telephone services for international calls to family members outside continental United States, Canada, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam or Central Northern Mariana Islands by requiring identical restrictions on the duration or number of phone calls and use of unit or facility phones made available to incarcerated individuals who are calling family members who are not outside continental United States, Canada, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam or Central Northern Mariana Islands.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes permanent a 2022 law that grants "preferred source status" to businesses providing employment to certain persons (like veterans or individuals with disabilities) when those businesses bid on state government contracts. It removes the original 3-year expiration date from the 2022 law, ensuring the preferred status remains in effect indefinitely. The provision directly affects state government contractors who employ these specific groups, giving them priority in procurement processes. It does not create new eligibility criteria but extends the existing rule permanently. The law applies to new contracts issued after the effective date, not to existing contracts or requests for proposals.

Maddy summaryBill A 5043 amends election law to allow voters to submit absentee ballot applications in person at their local election board up to and including election day. Previously, such applications had to be received by the day before the election. This change directly affects voters who prefer in-person submission and need to apply for absentee ballots on short notice. The key mechanism extends the deadline for in-person applications from 10 days before the election to election day itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill gives the New York City Council new authority to oversee the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). It requires NYCHA to produce regular reports on its operations - including Section 8 housing programs - to the Council upon request, specifying details like report content, deadlines, and distribution. The Council must pass a local law to define these reporting requirements, and copies must also go to the city's housing commissioner. Additionally, the bill amends the city charter to mandate annual Council hearings reviewing NYCHA's service goals, performance, and management efficiency.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New York's enhanced STAR property tax exemption by adding distributions from thrift savings plans (established before 1984) to the list of income types excluded from the eligibility calculation. It affects homeowners applying for the enhanced STAR exemption, who must now exclude these distributions when determining their income for tax purposes. The bill also requires applicants who didn’t file tax returns to submit a detailed statement to the state department outlining their unreported income sources and amounts. These changes apply to exemption applications for tax years beginning in 2019 and later.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the New York Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Treatment, Training and Research Council within the executive department. The council will coordinate state services for individuals with ASDs (affecting approximately 1 in 110 children), their families, and healthcare providers by developing a statewide policy plan and reviewing agency initiatives. Key mechanisms include holding annual community forums across New York State, submitting annual policy updates to the governor and legislature, and requiring agencies to align with the council's coordinated approach. The council will include state agency leaders, appointed experts in ASDs, and family representatives to address gaps in early intervention, post-education services, and research coordination identified by prior state reports.

Enacts the "AC in residencies (AIR) act"; requires the installation of permanent cooling and dehumidification equipment in at least one indoor common gathering space in certain multiple dwellings and multiple residences.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal framework for safe injection sites in New York, creating a program approved by the Department of Health to provide overdose prevention services. It directly affects people who use drugs (participants), community health organizations operating the sites, and local communities through designated locations. Key provisions require sites to offer sterile equipment, overdose monitoring, naloxone access, referrals to treatment, and language-accessible education, while mandating annual reporting on participant numbers and services. The bill also provides legal immunity from arrest or penalties for participants, staff, and property owners who follow approved protocols, ensuring these sites operate without criminal or civil liability.

Creates a wholesale prescription drug importation program which complies with federal standards and regulations for the purpose of generating substantial savings for consumers.

Requires age-appropriate instruction on conflict resolution for elementary, middle, and high school students; requires the commissioner to develop curricula for schools in the state for such instruction; directs the commissioner to develop resource materials to facilitate such instruction.