Sen. Cordell Cleare

Provides for adjustment of the maximum income threshold for eligibility for the senior citizen rent increase exemption (SCRIE), disability rent increase exemption (DRIE), senior citizen homeowners' exemption (SCHE), and disabled homeowners' exemption (DHE) by any increase in the consumer price index (CPI).

Directs the legislature to ensure that the number of judges and justices in districts and courts is sufficient; directs the chief administrator of the courts to report on the sufficiency of the number of judges and justices in each court and to make recommendations on such numbers.

Establishes procedures regarding orders of post-termination visitation and/or contact between a child and such child's parent and for modification of such orders.

Relates to establishing a maximum rent of one-third of household income for the senior citizens rent increase exemption and disability rent increase exemption.

Provides that NYSERDA shall establish a program to provide rebates or new lithium-ion batteries for powered mobility devices at reduced cost or no cost to certain individuals; sets standards for lithium-ion batteries provided pursuant to the program; requires NYSERDA to submit an annual report on such program.

Establishes a private right of action for deed theft; provides that victims of deed theft may maintain an action against a deed thief or a bank that provides a loan that assists in the commission of deed theft; authorizes victims of deed theft to recover actual damages, treble damages and attorneys' fees; defines terms.

Provides for priority for applications and expedited determination of claims for a human trafficking victim who wishes to remove permanent marks that were part of the trafficking of such victim, including but not limited to, tattoos, markings, brandings, or other symbols or insignia.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York's state parole board to include at least one member who has been previously incarcerated. It directly affects the board's composition, which reviews prisoner release decisions and is appointed by the governor. The law amends existing statutes to mandate that one of the board's members must have firsthand experience with the prison system. This change is a concrete policy adjustment to the board's membership rules, without specifying how this experience would influence decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 6727) changes the evidentiary standard for disciplinary and evidentiary hearings in New York's correction system. It replaces the current "substantial evidence" standard with the higher "preponderance of the evidence" standard (meaning it is more likely than not that the facts support the decision). This directly affects inmates and staff facing disciplinary actions in correctional facilities, as it raises the bar for evidence required to uphold those decisions. If enacted, the change would apply to all such hearings under the Correction Law and take effect 90 days after becoming law.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases civil penalties for violations of public health laws. It raises the base penalty from $2,000 to $3,000 per violation, with higher penalties for repeat offenses ($10,000) or violations causing serious harm ($20,000). Nursing home and hospital operators face increased penalties of $5,000 per violation, with excess funds from nursing home penalties directed to a quality improvement program. The changes apply to violations affecting public health safety and redirect collected penalties to specific state health initiatives.