Sen. Kevin Parker

Prohibits employers from using the federal electronic employment verification system to check the employment authorization status of an existing employee or an applicant who has not been offered employment and prohibits municipalities from requiring employers to use the federal electronic employment verification system.

Amends provisions relating to public campaign financing; changes certain thresholds and procedures; permits retention of matching funds for future use; specifies when a candidate is opposed by a competitive candidate; requires a disclosure on political communications.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases financial assistance standards for New York residents receiving public assistance. Starting July 1, 2025, the monthly need standard for eligibility and maximum benefit amounts will double (e.g., from $158 to $316 for single-person households), with annual adjustments tied to federal cost-of-living changes. Home energy grants and supplemental home energy grants also double starting July 2025 (e.g., from $14.10 to $28.20 monthly for single-person households). These changes directly affect low-income individuals and families qualifying for state public assistance programs.

Establishes the "Safe Staffing for Hospital Care Act"; establishes minimum staffing levels for various health care workers in different health care facilities; requires submission of staffing plans; prohibits most mandatory overtime.

Maddy summaryS 4731, the "Small Contractors Relief Act," creates a pilot program to help small contractors who were denied liability insurance coverage. It establishes the New York Small Contractor Safety Group, Inc. - a nonprofit organization that will provide insurance coverage to eligible contractors who have been rejected by traditional insurers. The program targets contractors meeting specific criteria, including those with under $1 million in annual revenue (or higher revenue with proof of insurance denial) and certified minority/women-owned businesses. The bill appropriates funds to support this pilot program and outlines its governance structure, including a nine-member board appointed by state leaders.

Establishes the office of the youth public advocate in the executive office of the mayor; provides that the office will operate and maintain youth-related services and programs, including but not limited to, after school programs, jobs, literacy programs and youth internships, and will develop and implement policies to increase summer employment, high school admission, retention and graduation rates.

Creates the New York state home ownership savings plan; creates a property tax exemption related thereto; creates exemptions for properties purchased in target areas with a New York state home ownership savings plan.

Maddy summaryBill S 7135 requires the Public Service Commission (PSC) to initiate the development of hybrid heating pilot programs across the state. Within six months, gas and combination gas and electric corporations must submit plans for these programs, which involve installing systems that pair heat pump technology with traditional gas heating. The plans must prioritize customers in disadvantaged communities and low-to-moderate income households. The PSC will review and approve these plans, considering their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide reliable heating, with utilities authorized to recover program costs through customer surcharges.

Maddy summaryS 3991, the New York Civil Gideon Act, creates a framework to provide legal counsel in civil cases for low-income New Yorkers facing issues like housing, family matters, and healthcare access. It establishes an 11-member Civil Right to Counsel Commission (appointed by state leaders, courts, and legal groups) to oversee implementation and report annually. The bill designates legal services providers as the "lead agency" responsible for assessing eligibility, managing referrals, and coordinating representation, while courts must ensure fair processes for unrepresented parties. This directly affects vulnerable residents whose civil legal needs often go unmet, aiming to improve access to justice in non-criminal matters.

Relates to establishing the housing access voucher program; provides that the commissioner of the division of housing and community renewal shall implement a program of rental assistance in the form of housing vouchers for eligible individuals and families who are homeless or who face an imminent loss of housing; provides that the commissioner shall designate housing access voucher local administrators in the state to administer the program.