Sen. Leroy Comrie

Enacts The New Deal for CUNY; increases the ratio of faculty and mental health counselors to full-time students; requires that certain amounts of tuition be replaced by federal, state, and city funds.

Relates to requirements for certain contracts for materials, supplies, or services under $50,000; assures the prudent and economical use of public moneys in the best interests of the taxpayers; requires an authority in the city of New York to develop a procurement corruption prevention training program; makes related provisions.

Maddy summaryBill S 8017 extends the timeframe during which the state can be held responsible for damages suffered by individuals due to defects in state highways. Currently, the state is liable for such damages between May 1st and November 15th. This bill changes that period, making the state liable between April 1st and December 1st. This provides an expanded window for individuals to potentially seek compensation from the state for damages caused by highway defects.

Establishes a statewide person-centered mental health services work group to improve statewide mental health planning and outcomes to achieve a person-centered, prevention-first integrated and tiered system of care for holistic health and wellness.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits police officers from using chemical agents - such as pepper spray, tear gas, or oleoresin capsicum - against any minor under 18 years old in all circumstances. It directly affects minors under 18 and requires all police departments to update their use-of-force policies to ban these chemical agents. The law amends existing policy rules to explicitly forbid such use, applying immediately upon enactment. This is a policy change to restrict specific police tactics targeting children, with no exemptions or exceptions specified.

Prohibits the manufacture, sale, or offer for sale of a decorative or facsimile license plate of a size, shape, color and design which is substantially similar to a license plate issued by the department of motor vehicles, such that such decorative or facsimile license plate appears to be a license plate issued by the department of motor vehicles.

Establishes certain rights and remedies for employees who are wrongfully discharged; establishes remedies for wrongful discharge; allows an employee or employer to make a written offer to arbitrate a dispute covered under this act; defines terms.

Amends the definition of "health care personnel" to define the term "temporary services" as health care services contracted for an initial term of less than twenty-four continuous months; requires a temporary health care services agency to annually submit to the department of health copies of all contracts between the agency and a health care entity to which it assigns or refers health care personnel.

Updates the fee collected by county clerks and clerks for the city of New York for deposit into the cultural education account from $15 to $30; increases the amount retained by the county or city from $0.75 to $1.00.

Establishes a deaf and hard of hearing outreach program to facilitate communication between deaf and hard of hearing individuals and law enforcement personnel.