Sen. Dean Murray

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state to provide mental health support and resources specifically for employees working in child protective services. The law mandates access to various therapeutic options, including specialized treatments like EMDR, counseling, and information designed to help staff manage secondary trauma and maintain their well-being. By adding this requirement to the social services law, the legislation ensures that these workers receive necessary care to support their health while performing their duties.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the laws governing wrongful death lawsuits to clarify which types of financial compensation survivors can receive and how those funds are shared. It explicitly allows juries to award damages for specific costs such as funeral and medical bills, as well as for emotional suffering, loss of financial support, and the loss of guidance or companionship from the deceased. The legislation also defines who is eligible to receive these funds, including spouses, domestic partners, children, and individuals who stood in a parent-like role to the deceased. Additionally, the bill establishes rules for distributing the recovered money among eligible family members based on the specific financial injuries each person suffered and clarifies how legal fees and other expenses are handled.

Extends the statute of limitations of actions related to certain sex trafficking offenses, reviving such actions otherwise barred by the existing statute of limitations; grants trial preference to such actions; exempts such actions from certain provisions requiring notice of claims.

Relates to prohibiting retail establishments including food-service establishments from refusing to accept payment in cash; provides a civil penalty will be assessed for such actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of enterprise corruption to include animal fighting. By adding this specific offense to a list of serious crimes, the legislation allows prosecutors to charge individuals who organize or profit from animal fighting rings with enterprise corruption. This change directly affects people involved in running or funding illegal animal fighting operations, potentially increasing the severity of penalties they face. The law takes effect ninety days after it is signed into force.

Maddy summaryThis bill raises the spending limit for regional off-track betting corporations to $35,000, allowing them to purchase equipment or hire contractors without a public bidding process for amounts at or below this threshold. The change directly impacts these corporations by simplifying their procurement rules, though it requires a two-thirds vote from the local governing body if the corporation decides a specific contract would not serve the public interest. By removing the previous $15,000 cap, the legislation gives these entities more flexibility in managing smaller purchases while maintaining oversight for larger expenditures.

Maddy summaryThis bill formally honors Michael Cosmo and Gregory Mears, the valedictorian and salutatorian of the Class of 2024 at Centereach High School, for their academic achievements. It directs the state legislature to pause its proceedings to offer official commendation to the two students and their families. The resolution also requires that a copy of the document be sent to Michael Cosmo and Gregory Mears as a record of this recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill formally honors Saitta Roy, the valedictorian, and Danica Lyktey, the salutatorian, of the Class of 2024 at Newfield High School for their academic achievements and community service. It directs the state legislature to pause its proceedings to publicly commend these two students and acknowledges the positive impact they have made on their families and communities. The resolution concludes by ordering that official copies of the commendation be sent to the students as a recognition of their outstanding accomplishments.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors Jillian Hanesworth and Augustus Clarke for winning the 2024 Sports Emmy Award in the Short Film category. The bill formally recognizes their work on the film "Still Here," which highlights the resilience of Buffalo following the 2022 mass shooting and blizzard. It directs the legislative body to pause its proceedings to acknowledge their achievement and mandates that a copy of the resolution be sent to them. The measure serves as a public commendation of their specific contribution to the NFL 360 series rather than altering any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that formally congratulates the Elmont High School Boys Basketball Team and their coach for winning the 2024 NYSPHSAA Basketball Class AA Championship. The document recognizes the team's achievement of securing their first state title since 2016 and lists the specific names of the players and the coach being honored. It serves as an official record of legislative appreciation for the team's success and is intended to be sent to the school for their records.