Sen. John Liu

Maddy summaryS 421 requires commercial landlords to make reasonable efforts to re-rent vacated premises when tenants leave early in violation of lease terms. Landlords must try to rent the space at fair market value or the original lease rate (whichever is lower), and the new lease would replace the previous tenant's obligation. Any lease clause attempting to exempt landlords from this duty is void under the bill. This directly affects commercial landlords and tenants in lease disputes, shifting the responsibility to minimize financial harm to landlords who fail to actively seek new tenants.

Establishes fetal and infant mortality review boards to study fetal and infant mortality and morbidity and make recommendations on policies, best practices, and strategies to reduce fetal and infant mortality and morbidity.

Provides for the award of reasonable attorneys' fees in FOIL proceedings if the person is successful and in open meeting proceedings to the successful petitioner and against the public body.

Ensures that library staff of free association, public, and hospital libraries, and with certain advice, Indian libraries, are able to develop collections, services, and programming that reflect the values and protections established under the human rights law and the equal rights amendment to the state constitution.

Establishes an elder financial exploitation public awareness campaign to educate older adults and persons providing care to older adults on the prevention and detection of financial exploitation.

Requires all authorities having jurisdiction over a population exceeding five thousand residents to adopt a residential automated solar permitting platform by June thirtieth, two thousand twenty-seven.

Requires that all special education students attending schools scheduled to be closed or to undergo a significant change be assigned to new schools prior to the implementation of the closing or change.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September 22 as "Veteran Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day" in New York State. It adds this date to the state's official list of commemorative days under Section 168-a of the executive law, joining other recognized observances. The bill does not create new programs, funding, or requirements - it solely establishes a designated day for remembrance.

Maddy summaryS 8512 (the "Solar UP Now NY Act") defines "portable solar generation devices" as moveable photovoltaic systems under 1,200 watts that connect via standard outlets to offset household electricity use. It exempts these devices from utility interconnection rules and net metering requirements, meaning customers don’t need utility approval, pay fees for grid feedback, or install extra equipment. The bill directly affects residential and small commercial users who want to use simple portable solar units without regulatory hurdles. Utilities cannot be held liable for damage from these devices, and the law takes effect immediately.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 2106 formally recognizes the severe mental health impacts of incarceration on individuals, families, and communities in New York State. The bill calls for increased awareness, research, and policy responses to address these harms, particularly during Mental Health Awareness Month. It supports expanding access to trauma-informed mental health services for currently and formerly incarcerated individuals and encourages developing alternatives to incarceration that prioritize treatment and community-based support. The resolution is transmitted to Silent Cry, Inc. as an acknowledgment of these issues.