Rep. Michael Durso

Maddy summaryThis bill, "Nick's Law," increases penalties for drivers who flee the scene of an accident resulting in death. It upgrades the offense to a class B felony punishable by fines up to $30,000 (previously a lower misdemeanor or felony level). The law directly affects drivers who fail to stop and report after causing a fatal accident, distinguishing this scenario from lesser violations like not exchanging insurance information. Key provisions include specific fine tiers based on severity (e.g., $750-$1,000 for injury, $30,000 max for death) and clarify that fleeing a fatal accident is treated as a serious felony. The bill amends vehicle and traffic law sections and criminal procedure law to reflect these enhanced penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York's state comptroller to conduct financial audits of all public works projects funded by the state when a contractor is convicted or found liable for specific theft or fraud violations. It directly affects contractors (including subcontractors and affiliated entities) working on state-funded projects who are convicted under certain laws related to wage theft, insurance fraud, or labor law violations. The comptroller must audit all such projects the contractor managed after a conviction for offenses listed in the insurance law, penal law (wage theft, fraud), workers' compensation law, or labor law. The law takes immediate effect and aims to ensure public funds are properly accounted for when contractors face legal consequences for financial misconduct.

Requires electrocardiograms be provided by school health services to screen for heart conditions; requires electrocardiograms be conducted on students to screen for heart conditions in order to attend school.

Prohibits a public officer or member of the legislature from have a building or space named after themself while holding public office based on the fact that such person was responsible for securing public funds for the person or entity involved in naming the building or for securing public funds for the person's or entity's cause or agenda.

Directs the New York state energy resource and development authority, in collaboration with the New York state thruway authority, the department of transportation, and the New York power authority, to conduct a feasibility study on installing solar panels and other renewable energy systems along state highways and to submit a report relating thereto.

Prohibits the governor from preventing or inhibiting state agency cooperation with the federal government for the purposes of immigration enforcement; prohibits state agencies from preventing or inhibiting collaboration with federal agencies for the purposes of federal immigration enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1358) adds a religious exemption to school vaccination requirements in New York State. It allows children whose parents hold "genuine and sincere religious beliefs" opposing vaccinations to attend school without providing immunization certificates. The bill modifies public health law to remove the certificate requirement for these children and requires health providers to report immunization status for exempt students. It directly affects families seeking religious exemptions for school enrollment, while maintaining existing school notification procedures for non-exempt children. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Relates to the scheduling of a fact finding hearing after the issuance of a temporary order of protection in family court; provides that such hearing shall be scheduled no later than 14 days after the temporary order is issued.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 9571) increases family leave benefits under New York's workers' compensation law, directly affecting eligible employees taking leave for medical care, bonding with a newborn, or military family exigencies. It gradually raises weekly benefit percentages (from 50% to 67% of average weekly wage) and extends maximum leave duration (from 8 to 12 weeks) over time, with specific phased-in dates starting in 2018. Covered employers must provide these enhanced benefits while maintaining health insurance coverage during leave. The changes apply to employees meeting eligibility criteria under the law, with the Superintendent of Financial Services retaining limited authority to delay increases.

Establishes the veterans' services organization capital support program to provide funding to eligible entities for payment of the capital costs of construction, improvement, repairs, rehabilitation, or reconstruction of facilities owned by eligible entities, and for the acquisition of related equipment with a useful life of not less than ten years; appropriates a sum of $10,000,000 therefor.