Asm. Nader Sayegh

Establishes a high school robotics grant program; provides funding to high schools for participation in robotics competitions; sets forth eligibility requirements; provides for the application and awards process.

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.

Establishes masked harassment when a person wears a mask or other face covering that intentionally hides or conceals their face for the primary purpose of menacing or threatening another person or placing another person or group of persons in reasonable fear for their physical safety.

Imposes consultation and reporting requirements for municipal corporations resettling, transporting or relocating non-detained migrants to another municipal corporation within the state, which is directed, administered, or funded by the federal government, the secretary of health and human services in the case of minors, the secretary of homeland security in the case of adults, or any municipal corporation within the state or agents thereof.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York State law to formally designate Diwali (specifically the fifteenth day of the Hindu lunisolar month of Kartik, also called Lakshmi Puja or the Hindu festival of lights) as a public holiday. It adds Diwali to the existing list of state-recognized public holidays, which currently includes dates like New Year's Day and Independence Day. As a public holiday, Diwali would require state offices and government operations to close, similar to other designated days. The change would take effect January 1, 2026, following the bill's enactment. This affects state employees and government services, aligning Diwali with other established public holidays.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most daycare facilities in New York to create and maintain specific emergency plans for children with disabilities, including evacuation and lockdown procedures. The plans must detail how to assist each child with a disability, list those children needing help, and identify available assistive devices. Daycares must submit these plans to the state within 120 days, update them annually, and share relevant portions with emergency responders, staff, and parents while protecting confidential health information. The law applies to standard daycare programs but excludes certain legally exempt providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a committee to study whether New York should establish two programs: a kindergarten-to-college/career readiness initiative and a universal college savings account, specifically targeting low and moderate income families. The committee will examine existing programs in other states (like San Francisco and Ohio), review enrollment data, consult with financial institutions, and develop a funding proposal by November 2024. The bill itself does not fund or create these programs - only authorizes a feasibility study to inform future legislation. It is a procedural measure with no immediate policy changes.

Enacts provisions relating to collective negotiations by health care providers with certain health care plans in certain counties; applies to health benefit plans that provide benefits for medical or surgical expenses incurred as a result of a health condition, accident or sickness, including an individual, group, blanket or franchise insurance policy or insurance agreement offered by certain enumerated entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New York pharmacists to administer FDA-approved progestin-only contraceptive injections for birth control, expanding access to contraception. Pharmacists must complete a patient risk assessment, provide educational materials, and notify a patient's primary care provider (with opt-out allowed) before administering the injection. They must also complete required training and may refuse service if safety concerns exist. The law directly affects patients seeking contraception - particularly those without regular doctors - and pharmacists who provide this service.

Relates to returnable bottles; adds noncarbonated soft drinks, certain noncarbonated fruit or vegetable juices, coffee and tea beverages, carbonated fruit beverages and cider to the definition of "beverage"; provides that beginning April 1, 2027, the handling fee will be six cents for each beverage container accepted by a deposit initiator from a dealer or operator of a redemption center; directs the multi-agency bottle bill fraud investigation team to submit a report on findings of pervasive bottle redemption fraud in New York state.