Sen. Kevin Parker

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4015) requires private, religious, and denominational schools in New York to comply with the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA), which prohibits bullying and harassment based on protected characteristics. It removes an existing exemption that previously excluded these institutions from DASA's protections. The law now applies equally to all schools, ensuring students at private religious schools receive the same anti-bullying safeguards as those in public schools. The bill does not alter other existing laws like the ADA or Title VII, but extends DASA coverage to previously exempt institutions.

Establishes a division of early childhood within the office of children and family services to coordinate, consolidate and integrate early childhood programs.

Requires disclosure terms relating to pre-paid calling cards to be provided in languages other than English and increases fines for violations of disclosure requirements.

Establishes an elderly crime prevention and control trust fund to be funded by an initial appropriation and administrative assessment penalties on persons convicted of felonies when an elderly person is a victim; provides that the fund is to be administered by the division of criminal justice services which shall give grants to organizations who will set up programs to prevent crimes against elderly persons.

Provides funds for day care services for the children of persons 24 and under to enable such persons to continue secondary and post-secondary education; provides criteria to be governed by standards established for economically and educationally disadvantaged students under special opportunity programs for state and city universities; appropriates $5,600,000 to the office of children and family services therefor.

Requires high schools in grades nine through twelve to provide a course in financial literacy; requires students to complete such course as a condition of graduation.

Establishes the office of ethnic and community media; provides duties of the executive director; requires each state agency to seek to direct at least fifty percent of its total spending on advertising to ethnic and community media outlets.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New York's Empire State Film Production Tax Credit to include documentary films as eligible productions. It sets minimum budget requirements ($1 million for filming in specific counties, $250,000 elsewhere) for qualifying documentaries. The bill defines "qualified film" to explicitly include documentaries while excluding items like news programs, commercials, and stock footage. This change directly affects filmmakers producing documentaries in New York State who meet the budget and location criteria.

Creates statewide emergency and crisis response council to work in conjunction with the commissioners of mental health and addiction services to jointly approve emergency and crisis services plans submitted by local governments, and provide supports regarding the operation and financing of high-quality emergency and crisis services provided to persons experiencing a mental health, alcohol use, or substance use crisis.

Prohibits a charitable organization from using any charitable donations that the charitable organization receives to make any sort of payment that arises as a term of a confidentiality agreement or closed settlement agreement.