Asm. MaryJane Shimsky

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new class B misdemeanor crime for incarcerated individuals who harass facility employees. It specifically prohibits three actions: displaying intimate body parts in view of staff, causing employees to be exposed to such displays, or threatening to expose bodily fluids (blood, urine, etc.). The law directly affects correctional facility staff, parole board employees, mental health personnel, probation officers, and police officers working in these settings. Violations carry penalties of up to 90 days in jail. The bill focuses solely on protecting staff within correctional facilities and related agencies, without altering broader sentencing or release policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends rules for admitting business records as evidence in court. It adds specific requirements: records must be made in regular business operations, at or near the time of the event, and based on personal knowledge or accurate business transmission. Medical records must also relate directly to patient treatment. Electronic records are now explicitly admissible if they accurately represent the original, but issues with their creation only affect evidence weight, not admissibility. This affects courts, lawyers, and anyone submitting business or medical records as evidence.

Prohibits the use of biometric surveillance system or biometric surveillance information in places of public accommodation; prohibits entering into any agreement that authorizes any third party to use any biometric surveillance system or biometric surveillance information; provides penalties for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New York's mental hygiene law to establish a detailed legal definition of "autism," specifically covering five recognized conditions: autistic disorder, Asperger's disorder, atypical autism (pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified), Rett's disorder, and childhood disintegrative disorder. Each condition is defined by clear, specific criteria related to social interaction, communication challenges, repetitive behaviors, and early developmental milestones. This definition will directly affect individuals seeking mental health services under the law, ensuring consistent eligibility for state-supported care by replacing older, less precise language. The change aims to standardize how autism is recognized in legal and medical contexts without altering existing service requirements.

Directs the commissioner of education, in conjunction with the superintendent of state police and the commissioner of the division of homeland security and emergency services, to establish standards for the security and safety of school grounds.

Increases the handling fee paid by a deposit initiator to a dealer or operator of a redemption center from three and one half cents to five cents per container; decreases the amount of quarterly payments a deposit initiator must pay the commissioner of taxation and finance from eighty to forty-seven percent of the balance of initiator's refund value account; provides for registration as a redemption center.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits foreign-influenced business entities from contributing to or spending on New York state and local elections. It defines "foreign-influenced" as businesses where foreign owners hold ≥1% of shares (single owner) or ≥5% (multiple owners), or where foreign entities influence political decisions. Businesses making election-related spending must file a certification signed by their CEO confirming they meet the criteria. Violations carry felony charges and civil penalties, directly affecting businesses with significant foreign ownership and election committees receiving such funds.

Provides that in any jurisdiction in which a party is eligible under local law for free legal counsel, if such party has in good faith attempted to secure such counsel and is unable to obtain counsel through no fault of their own, the court shall adjourn the trial of the issue for consecutive periods of not less than fourteen days each until the party is able to secure counsel.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires businesses in New York to disclose when prices are set using algorithms that rely on personal data, mandating the clear statement "THIS PRICE WAS SET BY AN ALGORITHM USING YOUR PERSONAL DATA" alongside any personalized pricing offer. It directly affects businesses selling goods or services to consumers (excluding insurers and financial institutions like banks or credit card companies). Key provisions ban the use of protected class data - such as race, gender, or age - to set different prices, preventing discriminatory pricing practices. The law empowers the state attorney general to enforce compliance through injunctions and impose civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation.

Requires the office for people with developmental disabilities to produce and publish a report to assess the staffing and other issues causing the continued displacement of individuals with developmental disabilities from various state-operated institutions under the jurisdiction of the office for people with developmental disabilities.