Sen. Cordell Cleare

Directs the department of environmental conservation to establish a perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances removal treatment installation grant program, providing a one-time grant to private well users for the installation of PFAS treatment or service connection to a public water system; directs the department of environmental conservation to establish a perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances removal treatment maintenance rebate program, providing a rebate to private well users for the maintenance of PFAS treatment equipment.

Provides for free legal representation in certain mortgage foreclosure actions where the homeowner is financially unable to obtain counsel; requires notice of such availability.

Establishes the reentry assistance program; provides for eligible incarcerated individuals to receive a monthly stipend upon release from a state correctional facility; makes an appropriation of $25,000,000.

Relates to tax lien foreclosure; establishes senior, disabled, and veteran homeowner real property tax assistance program; establishes installment plans for certain real property taxes.

Increases the amount of income property owners may earn for the purpose of eligibility for the property tax exemption for persons over sixty-five years of age; increases such amount to $75,000.

Establishes the "New York individuals with dyslexia education act"; implements a plan to identify and support students with characteristics of dyslexia; requires annual screening in grades K-5; directs intervention and notification; directs education department to develop a handbook providing guidance to parents and teachers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public school districts to implement mandatory dyslexia screening for students starting in kindergarten, with annual screenings until the end of second grade. The screening must be evidence-based, low-cost, and efficient. Schools must provide small-group, multi-sensory phonics instruction as intervention services for students identified with dyslexia or related learning differences. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Relates to determinations of appropriate educational programs for certain students in a school district in a city having a population of one million or more.

Relates to the assessment of extraordinary needs count for purposes of the apportionment of public moneys to school districts employing eight or more teachers; defines count of homeless children and children or youth in foster care.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new enforcement mechanism allowing certain workers, whistleblowers, or labor organizations to file public lawsuits on behalf of New York's labor department to address violations of specific labor laws. It enables private parties to initiate enforcement actions for issues like unpaid wages or misclassification (covered under Articles 5, 6, 9, 19, 19-A, 19-B, and 25-A), with civil penalties collected going to the state treasury. The law aims to supplement limited public enforcement resources by empowering workers and organizations to act as "private attorneys general" while protecting whistleblowers from retaliation. It explicitly excludes government agencies as targets and applies only to violations covered by designated labor law sections.