Sen. Cordell Cleare

Maddy summaryThis bill requires new passenger vehicles under 10,000 pounds gross weight sold in New York to include a rear occupant alert system. The system must notify drivers to check rear seats after turning off the engine, directly affecting vehicle manufacturers and dealers selling new cars in the state. It takes effect once federal safety standards for such systems are established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The law applies to vehicles with rear seats capable of being registered under state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4426) removes earnings restrictions for retired sworn officers who work as investigators for district attorneys in any county. It amends retirement law to exempt these individuals from standard income limits that typically apply to retirees receiving benefits. Specifically, it adds a new provision stating that retired officers employed as sworn investigators by a district attorney are not subject to earnings caps. The change directly affects retired law enforcement officers hired in investigative roles by prosecutors’ offices statewide.

Provides for universal newborn nurse home visiting services; requires health insurance coverage for universal newborn nurse home visiting services; authorizes the department of health to apply for certain waivers; directs the superintendent of financial services to require an insurer, health carrier or health benefit plan to notify enrollees annually of universal newborn nurse home visiting services.

Provides for notice to individuals in pre-trial detention of their right to vote while being arraigned and while awaiting such trial or examination in a local correction facility.

Maddy summaryS 1439 (New York) imposes a new tax on investment income from long-term capital gains, dividends, and other low-taxed federal income types. It directly affects high-income New York residents with significant investment earnings, targeting individuals and estates with taxable income above specific thresholds. The bill adds a 7.5% tax on long-term capital gains above $400,000-$500,000 (depending on filing status), gradually increasing to 15% above $800,000-$1 million. This tax phases in over defined income ranges and is administered like existing state income tax. The bill is currently referred to the Budget and Revenue committee.

Aligns utility regulation with state climate justice and emission reduction targets; provides for a statewide affordable gas transition plan and utility home energy affordable transition programs; repeals provisions relating to continuation of gas service; repeals provisions relating to the sale of indigenous natural gas for generation of electricity.

Relates to witnesses to a health care proxy; changes the witness requirement for the health care proxy from two adult witnesses to one adult witness; makes an exception for persons who reside in mental health facilities by requiring such persons to have two adult witnesses; includes falsely making or altering a health care proxy within the crime of forgery in the second degree.

Enacts the "Wandering Officers Act" prohibiting provisional or permanent appointment of a person as a police officer if such person has previously been fired as a police officer from any jurisdiction within or without the state, if such person left a position as a police officer either while under an investigation or while being the subject of a disciplinary action which could result in termination from any jurisdiction within or without the state, or if such person resigned while criminal charges were pending stemming from actions committed while on duty as a police officer in any jurisdiction within or without the state.

Includes policies and procedures for responding to students having mental health crises in a manner that does not include contacting law enforcement unless implied or direct threats of violence or other criminal activity is involved in school safety plans.

Requires health insurance coverage for mammography by either mammogram and breast ultrasound or breast tomosynthesis for persons with heterogeneously dense or extremely dense breasts.