Asm. MaryJane Shimsky

Maddy summaryThis bill changes rules for peremptory challenges (challenges to exclude jurors without reason) in criminal trials with two or more defendants. It specifies that when defendants are tried jointly, they are treated as a single party for challenge purposes. The key provision requires that a peremptory challenge must be allowed if a majority of defendants agree or if there is a tie with an even number of defendants. This directly affects defendants in multi-defendant criminal cases by clarifying when joint challenges can be exercised.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a New York state law that previously prohibited transplant patients from being listed on waiting lists at multiple organ procurement organizations. It directly affects patients awaiting organ transplants who may now be eligible for placement on waiting lists at different facilities within New York. The key change eliminates the specific ban (previously in Public Health Law §4363) that prevented patients from having multiple listings simultaneously. This amendment updates organ allocation rules to allow patients to potentially access multiple transplant programs without violating state policy. The law took effect immediately upon signing on October 16, 2025.

Expands the purposes of the volunteer and exempt firefighters' benevolent association of Thornwood, New York; provides for the payment to it of certain taxes imposed upon premiums on policies of fire insurance in foreign insurance companies.

Provides additional credits to children and siblings of New York city sanitation members who died in the performance of duty as the natural and proximate result of the World Trade Center attack on September 11, 2001.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 4718) makes permanent disability benefits for volunteer firefighters who develop heart or coronary artery conditions. It updates a 1977 law by removing an expiration date (previously set for June 30, 2025) that would have ended these benefits. The change directly affects volunteer firefighters whose heart-related disabilities occur after the law's effective date. The bill preserves existing benefits without creating new ones, ensuring continued support for eligible firefighters.

Establishes the New York road salt reduction council and the New York road salt reduction advisory committee to provide a mechanism for interagency cooperation and coordination to implement the recommendations of the report of the Adirondack road salt reduction task force.

Maddy summaryBill A 4044 makes permanent certain fees that municipalities charge for emergency medical services (EMS), removing a previous four-year expiration date from a 2022 law. This change affects local governments that set and collect these fees for EMS services provided within their jurisdictions. The bill amends existing law to ensure these specific fees remain in place indefinitely, rather than requiring annual renewal. It takes effect immediately upon enactment, applying to all EMS-related fees collected after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the expiration date for free one-day admission to the New York Zoological Park from December 31, 2025, to December 31, 2030. It directly affects visitors who currently qualify for or may use this free admission benefit. The bill amends a 1991 law governing the New York Zoological Society by updating the expiration date in Section 3 of the statute. This change ensures the free admission policy remains in effect through 2030 without requiring new legislative action. The bill was signed into law on August 7, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers.

Requires schools safety plans to include a cardiac emergency response plan that addresses the use of appropriate personnel and measures to respond to incidents involving any individual experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or similar life-threatening emergency on any school site owned or operated by a school or at a location of a school sponsored event.

Prohibits a property owner from enforcing or adopting a restriction that prohibits one or more religious items from being displayed or affixed on any entry door or entry doorframe of a dwelling.