Asm. Steve Otis

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 insurance companies from refusing to issue or renew homeowners' or renters' insurance policies, canceling policies, charging higher premiums, or limiting coverage solely because a policyholder owns a specific dog breed or mix of breeds. It directly affects homeowners and renters who might have faced discrimination based on their dog's breed. The key provision requires insurers to base coverage decisions on standard risk factors, not breed alone, for policies defined under New York's insurance law. The law applies to all policies issued or renewed after its effective date.

Prohibits a person or entity from knowingly or with reckless disregard facilitate an agreement between or among two or more residential rental property owners or managers to not compete with respect to residential rental dwelling units, including by operating or licensing a software, data analytics service, or algorithmic device that performs a coordinating function on behalf of or between and among such residential rental property owners or managers.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's Public Health Law to explicitly include digital health care platforms (like apps connecting health care workers with facilities) in the legal definition of "temporary health care services agency." It directly affects digital platforms currently operating in this space, clarifying they fall under the same regulatory framework as traditional staffing agencies. The key change is adding "entities that utilize apps or other technology-based solutions" to the definition, while maintaining existing exclusions for individual providers and home care agencies. This update ensures digital platforms are subject to the same reporting and documentation requirements as other temporary health care agencies, without altering existing licensing or service standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New York state agencies (including departments, public authorities, SUNY, and CUNY) to create and implement waste reduction plans. Agencies must decrease landfill waste by 10% every five years, starting from 2018-2019 baseline levels, aiming for a 75% overall reduction by 2034. Plans must detail strategies for reducing single-use plastics, diverting organics and recyclables, conducting waste audits, and transitioning to dual-stream recycling where feasible. The GreenNY Council will oversee implementation, review progress, and require updated plans every five years. All plans must be publicly posted on the environmental department's website.

Maddy summaryBill A 589 amends the governance structure of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. It updates commissioner appointment rules, requiring new members (starting in 2026) to have specific experience in transportation, public administration, or related fields, while maintaining residency requirements for New York and New Jersey representatives. The bill also establishes a new Port Authority Transportation Advisory Committee to provide input on transportation matters. Additionally, it strengthens whistleblower protections for employees reporting misconduct and clarifies the inspector general's role in investigating fraud and abuse.

Requires public notice and public engagement when a general hospital seeks to close entirely or a unit that provides maternity, mental health or substance use care.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies the types of damages that can be recovered in wrongful death lawsuits in New York. It specifically allows survivors to seek compensation for funeral expenses, medical costs related to the injury causing death, grief, loss of financial support/services, and loss of nurture/education. The bill also defines who qualifies as "beneficiaries" (including spouses, domestic partners, and those acting as parents) and specifies how damages must be distributed based on each person's financial losses. These changes update existing law to provide clearer standards for compensation without creating new legal rights.

Relates to providing information to patients and the public on hospital rule-based exclusions; requires the commissioner of health to collect from each hospital a list of its hospital rule-based exclusions and publish such information on the department's website.

Authorizes the use of an electronic signature by a person granted a power of attorney by a taxpayer with respect to documents submitted to the New York state department of taxation and finance and the New York city department of finance.