Asm. Karines Reyes

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 6702) requires courts to assign legal counsel to homeowners who cannot afford representation in certain real property legal disputes, such as evictions or property disputes. It directly affects low-income homeowners facing these civil court cases. The key mechanism adds a new section to the real property law, mandating court-appointed lawyers and directing counties to implement this through their existing plans for legal representation (already used for criminal cases, family court, and other specific proceedings). The bill expands current county legal aid coverage to include these real property actions without creating new programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school districts in cities with over 1 million residents to establish dedicated schools for students with dyslexia and related phonemic language learning differences. These schools must use multi-sensory sequential phonics techniques in all elementary and secondary grades. Additionally, teachers at these schools must complete at least 20 hours of specialized training in this teaching method. The law directly affects dyslexic students in large-city school districts and mandates specific instructional approaches. It takes effect July 1 following enactment.

Provides for increased participation in state contracts and subcontracts by certified minority and women-owned business enterprises; relates to certain performance and payment bond requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers to pay minimum wage for any time over one hour during a split shift when an employee is not working (e.g., during a long break between work periods). It directly affects hourly workers with split shifts, such as those working morning and afternoon shifts with an extended unpaid break. The key provision mandates that this non-working time be counted as "worked" time for minimum wage purposes, ensuring pay for the full duration of the shift. The bill is pending in the Labor Committee and has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits health care workers, including nurses and unlicensed assistive personnel, to their regularly scheduled work hours without mandatory overtime. Exceptions allow longer shifts only during declared emergencies (like natural disasters or public health crises), federal/state emergency declarations, or when completing an ongoing medical/surgical procedure. It specifically excludes doctors, residents, and security staff from this definition. The law aims to protect patient safety by preventing excessive staff fatigue through concrete scheduling limits. Employers cannot use on-call time to bypass these restrictions.

Relates to the oversight of immigration detention facilities; prohibits municipalities from using funds or resources for the construction of any new detention facility or the expansion of any existing detention facility without approval by the legislature; establishes a committee on immigration detention oversight.

Increases the minimum wage outside of New York city and the counties of Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester; repeals certain provisions of law relating to exceptions to minimum wage increases.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New York's social services law to provide targeted assistance for people with medically diagnosed HIV infection. It requires social services districts to ensure individuals with HIV who are homeless or facing homelessness pay no more than 30% of their income toward rent, and to provide emergency shelter, transportation, or nutrition assistance when needed to maintain independent living. The bill also mandates districts to help with eligibility documentation, arrange home visits for interviews, and refer to specialized resources, while creating a statewide online resource hub for HIV-related services. Funding rules are updated to allow full reimbursement for HIV-related emergency shelter costs (up to 110% of fair market rent) and necessary transportation/nutrition payments. The policy directly affects low-income New Yorkers living with HIV who face housing instability.

Prohibits the city school district from reimbursing charter schools for leasing a privately owned or other publicly owned facility; prohibits charter school employee contracts from including a non-disclosure agreement.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New York residents aged 70 or older to request an automatic exemption from jury service without needing to prove physical or mental incapacity, undue hardship, or extreme inconvenience. To qualify, individuals must submit proof of age (via mail, fax, email, or in person) to the commissioner of jurors. The exemption applies to the entire jury service period, replacing previous requirements that applicants justify their request. It directly affects seniors receiving jury summonses and takes effect September 1 following enactment.