Sen. James Sanders

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new rules for state and local agencies regarding immigration-related matters. It prohibits government agencies from asking about a person's immigration status when providing public benefits or services, and bans law enforcement from stopping or detaining people based on immigration status or federal immigration detainers. The law requires confidentiality for any immigration information collected and mandates free interpreter services for non-English speakers during related inquiries. These provisions directly affect immigrants seeking public assistance, law enforcement agencies, and government offices handling benefits or services.

Maddy summaryThis bill caps debit cardholders' liability for unauthorized transactions at $50. It requires card issuers to clearly explain this limit and how to report lost or stolen cards. Cardholders must report loss before unauthorized use occurs to qualify for the $50 protection. The law aligns debit card protections with existing federal standards for credit cards under the Truth in Lending Act.

Maddy summaryS 176 creates a new civil legal remedy allowing individuals to sue when their constitutional or legal rights are violated by government officials or public entities acting under government authority. It directly affects anyone whose rights are deprived by such actors, including victims of police misconduct, discriminatory policies, or other state-sponsored violations. Key provisions include allowing lawsuits for damages and attorney fees (even if the case settles without a court judgment), removing common defenses like "good faith" or "unclear law," and requiring public entities to cover their employees' legal costs. The law sets a three-year deadline for filing claims and applies to both state and federal rights violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates New York's "Uniform Trade Secrets Act" (Article 17-B) in the General Business Law. It directly affects businesses and individuals who develop or use proprietary information (like formulas, processes, or customer lists) by standardizing how trade secret theft is handled in court. Key provisions define "misappropriation" (unauthorized use or disclosure), establish court orders to stop theft, allow financial compensation for losses, and set a three-year deadline to file claims. The law replaces conflicting state rules, ensuring consistent legal procedures for trade secret cases across New York.

Relates to additional state payment assistance; provides that where there is no agreement in effect for federal administration of additional state payments the commissioner of the office of temporary and disability assistance is responsible for providing assistance to applicants for or recipients of such payments as it relates to applying for, modifying or maintaining such benefits.

Enacts "Destini Smothers' law"; requires collaboration between law enforcement agencies in missing persons investigations; provides support for relatives of such missing persons.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires attorneys appointed to represent children in family court proceedings to complete specific training. It mandates 6 hours of initial training and ongoing training covering juvenile delinquency law, domestic violence dynamics, and its impact on children - particularly regarding custody, visitation, and child support. Training programs must be developed with input from the State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and approved by the Office of Court Administration. The bill also encourages public defender offices to offer state-bar-approved training on juvenile delinquency for continuing legal education credit. It directly affects all attorneys representing children in these court cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals and inpatient facilities to provide at least two doses of naloxone (an opioid reversal drug) to patients at discharge if they appear to be at risk for a substance use disorder. It directly affects individuals leaving hospitals after treatment for substance use disorders or being discharged from emergency departments, as well as patients leaving state-operated facilities for alcoholism/substance abuse or mental health care. The key provision mandates that facilities dispense naloxone upon discharge for these at-risk patients, without requiring prior prescription. The law aims to reduce opioid overdose deaths by ensuring immediate access to reversal medication when patients leave care settings.

Enacts the "fair college admissions act"; prohibits legacy admissions policies at colleges and universities in New York; declares such policies and practices to be discriminatory and inequitable.

Enacts the tropical rainforest economic & environmental sustainability act requiring that companies contracting with the state do not contribute to tropical forest degradation or deforestation directly or through their supply chains; establishes the supply chain transparency assistance program to assist small and medium-sized businesses and minority and women-owned businesses in achieving compliant supply chains.