Asm. MaryJane Shimsky

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $1.2 billion permanent fund to improve wages and benefits for New York's childcare workforce. It directly affects licensed childcare providers that accept families using the state's Child Care Assistance Program, requiring them to use at least 75% of funds for direct caregivers (like teachers), 10% for administrators, and the rest for program quality or expansion. The fund mandates that providers meet a new minimum compensation scale (developed with worker input) aiming to align childcare wages with public school educators. The Office of Children and Family Services will distribute funds based on factors like serving high-need children, underserved communities, and enrollment, with annual reporting requirements.

Requires the return of all or a part of the financial assistance provided for a project where the project has material shortfalls or material violations; prevents the use of funds, financial incentives, subsidies or tax exemptions for projects already in development.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of "employer" to include specific public entities: certain child welfare agencies and nonprofits receiving at least 50% of their budget from government sources. It requires all public employers under this new definition to develop and implement workplace violence prevention programs. The law takes immediate effect and applies to state agencies, local governments, public authorities, and the newly included entities. The change clarifies which organizations must comply with workplace safety requirements under New York's labor law.

Requires health practitioners to discuss with patients the risks associated with certain pain medications before prescribing such medications; requires that for the first opioid analgesic prescription of a calendar year the prescribing physician shall counsel the patient on the risks of overdose.

Requires motorists to exercise care to avoid colliding with any domestic or companion animal; increases fines and penalties for causing such injury and for leaving the scene of injury to certain animals without reporting.

Provides that the "Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Flag" shall be the official state flag for the raising of awareness of veteran suicide; directs the commissioner of general services to establish a protocol for the flying of such flag.

Relates to procedures relating to driving while ability impaired by drugs; defines impairment and intoxication; updates procedures for field testing of drivers suspected of being under the influence of drugs to include the use of oral/bodily fluid tests; provides that refusal to submit to such field tests is specified to be a traffic infraction; makes related provisions.

Decreases the frequency of lock-down drills in schools; directs that such drills shall be implemented with a trauma-informed approach; permits parents to opt their children out of such drills.

Maddy summaryBill A 1615, known as the "area speed limits act," modifies the process by which cities, villages, and certain towns establish speed limits on local highways and roads. The bill removes the current requirement for these local legislative bodies to base new speed limits on specific engineering considerations and factors. It also eliminates the need for these speed limits to be certified by a licensed professional engineer. This change grants local governments more direct authority in setting area speed limits within their jurisdictions.

Exempts a person from a money judgment arising from an action in another state for knowingly engaging in conduct that aids or abets the performance or inducement of an abortion.