Asm. Amy Paulin

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Correctional Association of New York to regularly inspect residential juvenile detention facilities operated by the Office of Children and Family Services. It grants the association the power to conduct unannounced visits, review facility records and policies, and confidentially communicate with both youth residents and staff to ensure their welfare. Additionally, the legislation establishes a confidential toll-free hotline for youth to report abuse or unsafe conditions and expands the legal authority of Prisoners' Legal Services to represent these youth, access their records, and investigate complaints. The Office of Children and Family Services is required to respond in writing to annual reports submitted by the Correctional Association detailing the state of these facilities and any recommended improvements.

Provides for enrollment of eligible incarcerated persons in the medical assistance for needy persons program; provides for enrollment of incarcerated individuals in other medical assistance programs, where eligible.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows attorneys licensed to practice law in New York to serve as poll watchers at any polling place in the state, expanding the current rule which generally requires watchers to be residents of the specific city or county where they are serving. The legislation maintains the existing requirement that poll watchers must be qualified voters and prohibits anyone running for public office in that district from acting as a watcher during the election. By amending the election law, the bill removes the geographic residency restriction for lawyers while keeping other standard rules for poll watchers in place.

Prohibits creditors from enforcing a consumer debt incurred as a result of fraud, duress, intimidation, threat, force, identity theft, exploitation of the debtor's personal information or similar economic abuse perpetrated against a debtor; establishes a right of action by the debtor for relief against creditors for violations; makes related provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits drivers of school buses carrying students from using hands-free mobile telephones while operating the vehicle. The law allows for exceptions in emergency situations or when the bus is parked away from a public highway for purposes other than dropping off or picking up students. Additionally, the restrictions do not apply to emergency responders, police officers, or other authorized personnel performing their official duties. The changes will take effect sixty days after the bill becomes law.

Prohibits discrimination against and harassment or bullying of students by employees or students on private, religious or denominational school property or at a school function; provides immunity from civil liability for a person making a good faith report of discrimination, harassment or bullying to authorities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government to publish financial disclosure statements for candidates running for statewide office or legislative seats on its official website. The commission must make these documents available to the public within thirty days of receiving the initial filing or ten days after receiving any amendments, and they must remain online for at least five years. While the commission retains the authority to redact specific information under certain conditions, the bill generally mandates that all other details in the financial statements be posted without deletion. Additionally, the legislation expands the types of documents the commission must publish, including notices of delinquency, civil assessment details, and settlement terms. These changes take effect on the first day of January following the bill's enactment.

Requires nursing homes to designate dedicated storage spaces for the storage of the bodies of deceased persons; requires nursing homes to develop and submit plans to the department of health for the designation of such dedicated storage spaces; establishes requirements for such storage spaces.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires new passenger vehicles sold in New York to include a rear occupant alert system once federal safety standards are established. The system must notify the driver to check the back seats after the engine is turned off, specifically targeting cars under 10,000 pounds with rear seating. The law prohibits selling these vehicles without the alert feature, but it only applies to models manufactured or assembled a year after the federal regulations are finalized. The legislation includes a severability clause to protect the rest of the law if any part is found unconstitutional or if it causes the state to lose federal funding.

Prohibits the participation of certain animals in traveling animal acts; prohibits the department of environmental conservation from issuing permits or licenses allowing participation of certain animals in traveling animal acts; excludes certain permanent performing institutions; imposes a civil penalty not to exceed $1000 for a violation.