Sen. Steve Chan

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all visitors entering New York correctional facilities to undergo body scanning before entry, and mandates that incarcerated individuals be scanned upon intake and after visits. It specifies that facilities must offer alternative screening methods for medical reasons or if someone declines scanning, though visitation may be denied for non-medical refusal. Regulations will define when scanning is required, including accommodations for medical needs and prohibiting harassment for choosing alternatives. The law takes effect immediately, with related public health law changes set to be repealed alongside it.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates multiple taxes on health insurance in New York State, directly affecting consumers and health insurance companies. It phases out four specific taxes over time, including the $1.1 billion annual "covered lives assessment" on insured individuals, a 9.63% surcharge on hospital services, a $350 million flat tax on commercial insurance policies, and a $149 million tax on insurance companies. Key provisions gradually reduce these taxes: for instance, the insurance company tax drops from 1.75% to 0.37% by 2030 and is eliminated entirely after 2031. The legislation aims to lower health insurance costs by removing these taxes, which the bill states collectively cost consumers over $5 billion annually in 2018.

Maddy summaryThis bill regulates wildlife capture methods by banning leg-gripping traps with teeth, suspended leg-hold traps, and traditional snares. It permits the use of live-capture cable devices (with specific safety features like swivels, deer stops, and breakaway mechanisms) for coyotes and other species, but only under Department of Environmental Conservation rules. Trappers must check devices daily, complete mandatory training, and follow strict device specifications. The law takes effect immediately and expires February 16, 2028.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $100 tax credit for individual taxpayers who adopt one to three dogs or cats per year from qualifying shelters, rescues, or animal welfare organizations. The credit applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2025, and requires adopters to provide proof of spaying or neutering when claiming the credit. It directly affects taxpayers adopting pets from approved sources, with the credit limited to three animals annually. The policy provides a direct financial incentive for pet adoption through the state tax system, effective for 2025 tax filings.

Enacts the "safe haven baby box act" to provide a defense to endangering the welfare of a child; defines "safe haven baby box" to mean a secure, climate-controlled device installed at a facility staffed twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week, including but not limited to hospitals, police stations, fire stations, and emergency medical service facilities.

Establishes a claim for strict liability against the state for any injury caused by the administration of an immunization which is mandated by a state law; gives the court of claims the power and jurisdiction to hear such a claim.

Requires all vehicles that are capable of traveling over twenty-five miles per hour to be registered and licensed with the department of motor vehicles.

Relates to protecting witnesses in criminal prosecutions from intimidation and threats by permitting the court to withhold disclosure of names and other information if the court finds on the record that such witness is subject to potential intimidation, violence or threats.

Amends the offense of murder in the second degree to include when a person knowingly distributes fentanyl or any substance containing fentanyl and as a result of such distribution causes the death of another person; establishes the crime of aggravated criminal sale of a controlled substance resulting in serious physical injury.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3454) creates new criminal offenses specifically targeting abuse of elderly and disabled individuals in New York. It defines "vulnerable elderly" (60+ with age-related functional limitations) and "disabled" (with substantial life activity impairments), and establishes two key offenses: abandonment (a class E felony) and endangerment of welfare (a class A misdemeanor) when caregivers fail to prevent harm. The bill also includes a legal presumption that offenders intentionally targeted victims due to their age or disability. These provisions directly affect caregivers, family members, and others legally responsible for the care of vulnerable seniors and disabled adults.