Sen. Mario Mattera

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it a class E felony to intentionally hide, alter, damage, or destroy a human body or body part with the purpose of preventing it from being used as evidence in legal proceedings (e.g., court cases, autopsies, or criminal investigations). It specifically excludes funeral directors, embalmers, and organ donation activities under existing public health law from this prohibition. The law also adds this offense to criteria affecting bail decisions in criminal cases, but its core focus is defining the crime itself. The policy change directly affects individuals who might tamper with remains to obstruct justice, while protecting standard funeral and medical practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes permanent a law that presumes certain lung disabilities in volunteer firefighters are work-related, without requiring them to prove a direct connection to their duties. It directly affects volunteer firefighters who develop specific lung conditions, streamlining their access to benefits. The key provision removes a temporary expiration date (previously set for June 2025), ensuring the presumption remains in effect indefinitely. This change simplifies the process for affected firefighters to receive benefits under the volunteer firefighters' benefit law.

Authorizes occupational therapy services to be provided in school to students in grades pre-kindergarten through twelve with occupational impairments of a severity that does not adversely affect the student's educational performance but does present a barrier to functioning at home or in the community; directs the commissioner to promulgate rules and regulations for the provision of such occupational therapy services.

Prohibits state agencies from promulgating rules, regulations or any form of guidance requiring individuals under the age of eighteen who are not exhibiting COVID-19 related symptoms, as defined by the centers for disease control and prevention, to wear a mask or face covering in a public place or while participating in any recreational or organized sporting activity.

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.

Requires that a minimum of ten percent of the labor hours of the total construction workforce employed by all contractors and subcontractors performing work pursuant to a construction contract shall be performed by a person or persons participating in a certified apprenticeship program; makes technical amendments.

Prohibits state funding of any degree-granting institution of higher education if such institution permits terrorist organizations or activities in support of such organizations on campus; prohibits any student group or organization of receiving funding from the degree-granting institution if such group or organization directly or indirectly promotes, encourages, advocates, or engages in any terrorist advocacy or activities on campus.

Allows for reimbursement of transportation costs for emergency care without prior authorization by the social services official including emergency medical transportation by an ambulance service certified under article 30 of the public health law; authorizes the commissioner of health to establish a reimbursement methodology to ensure providers are reimbursed.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) companies to waive sovereign immunity for any legal claims against them in New York courts. It mandates that these railroads comply with key federal railroad laws, including the Railway Labor Act, Federal Employers Liability Act, and safety regulations. The waiver applies retroactively to all ongoing lawsuits involving these railroads. The bill directly affects employees who could pursue legal claims against Metro-North or LIRR under these federal protections.

Provides that any person interested in the grant or denial of discretionary release shall have the right to submit a written statement of views in support of or in opposition to the granting of discretionary release which the parole board may consider.