Sen. Julia Salazar

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York state agencies and localities to provide language translation services for census self-reporting beyond what the U.S. Census Bureau offers, directly affecting limited English proficiency communities. It mandates the Department of State to identify and expand translation services (including all languages used in census forms), connect agencies with these services, and require public notification of availability through online posts and community outreach. State agencies must report annually on translation service usage and improvements to state leaders starting in 2028. The law takes effect April 1, 2027, ensuring accessible census participation for non-English speakers.

Allows a licensed psychologist to apply to the department of education for conditional prescribing certification if the psychologist meets certain requirements; allows the department of education to waive certain requirements for an applying psychologist; provides that a conditional prescribing certification shall be valid for a period of two years.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 50% tax credit for veterinary services on companion animals, up to $2,000 annually, for New York taxpayers. It covers costs like checkups, vaccinations, microchipping, and treatment of illness or injury, but excludes amounts reimbursed by others. Taxpayers must provide a receipt from a licensed veterinarian and can carry forward unused credit to future tax years. The credit applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2025, and expires January 1, 2031.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New York municipalities to create online programs allowing ordinary citizens ("bystanders") to report suspected stolen, false, or fraudulent license plates. Municipalities must provide clear guidelines for submitting reports, including vehicle details (make, model, color, plate number) and expected investigation timelines. Bystanders who provide new evidence leading to a conviction receive 25% of the resulting fine. The law applies to all cities, towns, villages, and counties outside New York City, directing them to establish these programs by a specific deadline.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits detention facilities from placing children in "segregated confinement" (cell confinement for more than 17 hours daily) under any circumstances, except during facility-wide emergencies or for medical/mental health treatment. It directly affects children detained under New York's Family Court Act or Criminal Procedure Law who are held in certified detention facilities. The law defines "segregated confinement" specifically and excludes room confinement authorized by the Office of Children and Family Services when a child poses a serious immediate danger to themselves or others. The bill amends the Family Court Act and Executive Law to implement this ban, taking effect immediately upon passage.

Establishes a civil cause of action for employees who are subjected to an abusive work environment; provides employers shall be vicariously liable for such work environment.

Establishes the healthy and safe students act; requires comprehensive sexuality instruction for students in grades K-12 which includes a model curricula for comprehensive sexuality education and at a minimum conforms to the content and scope of national sexuality education standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets annual caseload limits for public defenders representing low-income clients in criminal cases. It requires that no public defender handle more than 367 misdemeanor cases or 138 felony cases per year, with each felony counting as roughly 2.66 misdemeanors in mixed caseloads. The law applies specifically to constitutionally mandated public defense services in criminal matters. The policy aims to ensure defenders have manageable workloads to provide adequate representation.

Relates to the discovery provisions applicable to juvenile delinquency proceedings in family court with regard to the timing of discovery, disclosure prior to certain guilty pleas, DNA evidence, court orders, and the admissibility of discovery.

Provides notice of the death of an incarcerated individual occurring in the custody of the department of corrections and community supervision; requires the department to promptly notify the next kin and any other person designated as the representative of any incarcerated individual whose death takes place during custody.