Sen. Cordell Cleare

Prohibits money judgments arising from non-payment of facility items and services by a patient or patient guarantor that is brought by a facility; prohibits the enforcement of arbitration agreements or clauses with respect to non-payment of facility items and services by a patient or patient guarantor; relates to the collection of medical debt; requires transparency in hospital pricing.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the retail sale of flavored tobacco products and accessories in the state, directly affecting licensed tobacco businesses and their employees. It defines "characterizing flavor" broadly to include tastes like fruit, mint, and chocolate, as well as any aroma distinguishable from tobacco, and bans the sale of such items or accessories that impart these flavors. Violations of the ban can result in a civil fine of up to $500 per infraction, which may be reported by any member of the public. To protect individual rights, the law explicitly prevents law enforcement from stopping, searching, or arresting anyone solely based on the possession, consumption, or purchase of these products. The restrictions will take effect 90 days after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that only individuals who were eighteen years of age or older at the time of committing a crime can be sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. It directly affects the sentencing guidelines for serious offenses such as murder, terrorism, and the use of chemical or biological weapons by explicitly excluding minors from this specific punishment. The legislation ensures that defendants under the age of eighteen remain eligible for indeterminate sentences with a maximum term of life imprisonment, while those aged eighteen and above face the stricter penalty for the listed crimes. This change codifies the age restriction into the penal law and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Requires school districts to provide instructional programming and services in reading and literacy which are evidence based and aligned with state standards; requires teachers in grades pre-K through five to attend professional development courses in reading education.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Access to Representation Act, would guarantee the right to legal counsel for certain low-income individuals facing immigration proceedings in New York. It directly affects non-citizens and citizens with disputed status who are detained or subject to removal, as well as those with a significant connection to the state. Under the proposed law, eligible individuals would receive ongoing legal representation from designated providers starting from their first court appearance or as soon as possible thereafter. The program would be administered by the New York State Office for New Americans, which would set income limits and oversee the delivery of legal services.

Enacts "Isabella's law" to require all health insurance policies and medical assistance to provide insurance coverage for the cost of medically necessary hearing aids for children under the age of 16.

Requires that plaintiffs no longer have to prove that a sexual offense occurred on the premises of, chattels or property belonging to a corporate entity in action for negligent supervision.

Provides that certain communications made without malice regarding an incident of sexual assault, harassment or discrimination shall be deemed privileged; provides that a prevailing defendant in an action brought against such defendant for making a communication that is privileged shall be entitled to attorney's fees and costs for such defense.

Requires that any disposition of land or buildings by the New York City Housing Authority be subject to and comply with the provisions of New York City's Uniform Land Use Review Procedure.

Enacts the student journalist education act to protect student speech at educational institutions unless such speech is libelous, an invasion of privacy, or incites students to commit an unlawful act, violate school policies, or to materially and substantially disrupt the orderly operation of the school.