Sen. John Liu

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public schools to provide plant-based food options as an alternative to every meal or snack upon request by a student or their parent. The plant-based option must be offered at no additional cost and must meet USDA standards for meat alternatives, while the school must also include this availability in all food-related written materials. Schools must respond to requests in a reasonable manner, and the requirement applies to all students regardless of whether they have requested the option, though requesting students may still choose non-plant-based meals. The law takes effect immediately but applies to school food service starting one year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies state education law to improve notification and public hearing requirements for charter schools, particularly when a charter school is relocated to a new district. It requires charter entities to notify local school districts and nearby schools at key stages of the chartering process, including within 30 days of receiving an application and 45 days before approval. When a charter school moves to a different school district or community education council district in larger cities, the new district must also hold a public hearing to gather community input. The bill ensures school districts have a formal opportunity to comment on proposed charters before they are issued, revised, or renewed. These changes take effect 90 days after the law is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks Governor Kathy Hochul to officially recognize March 31, 2026, as Farmworkers Day in New York State. The resolution honors the historical contributions of farmworkers to democracy and human rights, particularly referencing the United Farm Workers movement and their advocacy for better working conditions. It does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a commemorative proclamation to acknowledge the legacy of farmworkers. The measure directs the governor to issue a formal statement recognizing this date and highlights New York's 2019 Farm Laborers Fair Labor Practices Act as part of the state's ongoing support for farmworker protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks Governor Kathy Hochul to officially designate March 20, 2026, as Behavior Analysis Day in New York State. The resolution recognizes the history and importance of behavior analysis as a scientific field that studies how behavior works and develops skills through positive reinforcement. It highlights the profession's growth since New York began licensing behavior analysts in 2014 and aligns the state observance with the global celebration of World Behavioral Analysis Day. The bill does not change laws or funding but serves as a formal acknowledgment of the field's contributions to education and healthcare.

Provides additional requirements for approval of charter school applications; applies additional prohibitions to charter schools; requires certain financial disclosures by charter schools; requires charter schools to comply with provisions relating to construction, repair or demolition of school facilities; relates to admission of students.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the robocall prevention act, restricts the use of automatic dialing devices and prerecorded voice calls to residents of New York State and requires telephone service providers to offer free call mitigation technology to their customers. The law defines a robocall as any call made using an automatic dialing device or artificial voice to a state telephone number and allows such calls only for emergency purposes, with the recipient's prior express consent, or by labor organizations to their members. Telephone service providers must provide technology that identifies and blocks unwanted robocalls while permitting calls from law enforcement and public safety entities. The bill also mandates that robocalls using prerecorded voices must identify the caller at the beginning and end of the message, prohibits the use of random or sequential number generators for dialing, and bans the transmission of misleading caller identification information with intent to defraud.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Governor of New York to officially designate March 2026 as Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Awareness Month. It directly affects the state government and individuals living with NMOSD, a rare autoimmune disease that can cause vision loss, paralysis, and other neurological symptoms. The resolution directs the Governor to issue a proclamation recognizing the month, aligning with national awareness efforts to improve public understanding and support for those affected by the condition.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state premium assistance program in New York to provide health insurance coverage to individuals who lose coverage due to changes in federal immigration policies. It directly affects lawfully present immigrants who currently qualify for federal subsidies but may become ineligible due to their immigration status. The program would offer financial assistance equivalent to federal premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions based on household income, starting no later than January 1, 2027. Additionally, the bill expands eligibility for existing coverage to include certain low-income residents regardless of federal funding availability, with special provisions for pregnant individuals and their children.

Makes the release of any claim by an employee, or independent contractor who is a natural person, against an employer, unenforceable if, as a condition of such resolution, the employee or independent contractor is prohibited from applying for, accepting, or engaging in future employment with such employer, or any entity or entities related to such employer.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Governor of New York to officially designate May 5, 2026, as Queens Day to recognize the borough's cultural diversity and contributions to the state. The resolution directs the Governor to issue a proclamation for this date, which will coincide with a Queens Day celebration event in Albany featuring food, beverages, and displays of local businesses. The bill is sponsored by Senator Stavisky and was adopted by the Senate on March 24, 2026, after being referred to the Finance Committee. Copies of the resolution will be sent to the Governor, the Queens Borough President's office, and the Queens Chamber of Commerce.