Sen. Cordell Cleare

Establishes a farm-to-school task force; directs the commissioner of education to develop a program to require all public schools to provide fresh foods to students in a manner that supports local agriculture and increases market opportunities for farmers from under-represented communities.

Maddy summaryBill S 6471 regulates how landlords use automated tools, such as AI or algorithms, when making housing decisions like screening applicants. It requires landlords to conduct an annual, independent "disparate impact analysis" to assess if the tool negatively affects protected groups, and a summary of this analysis must be publicly available. Landlords must also notify applicants at least 24 hours before using such a tool, explain the characteristics it assesses, and offer an alternative selection process or accommodation. If an application is denied using the tool, landlords must provide the reason for the denial.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the "look-back period" for Medicaid applicants receiving home care (non-institutionalized individuals), meaning their past asset transfers won't be reviewed to determine eligibility. It repeals a specific provision in the Social Services Law that previously required a 60-month review of asset transfers for home care applicants. The bill changes the eligibility rules to remove this review period, directly affecting people applying for community-based long-term care services instead of nursing home care. The change applies to non-institutionalized applicants and removes the requirement for reviewing asset transfers made within a specified look-back window.

Directs the commissioner of education to conduct an audit regarding instruction in literacy instruction at institutions of higher education that offers a graduate or undergraduate degree or certification program in education or educational administration located within the state.

Enacts the housing development fund company fairness, preservation, and affordability act to clarify certain provisions relating to the dissolution and reincorporation of housing development fund companies; provides for tax exemptions and abatements for housing development fund companies.

Prohibits forensic child custody evaluators who have been terminated for cause from appearing as an expert witness in family court custody and visitation proceedings.

Relates to the convening of a human services employee wage board; requires the commissioner of labor to convene a human services employee wage board comprised of twelve members; requires the wage board to hold hearings and report and make recommendations to the governor and legislature no later than December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public school students in New York State from kindergarten through 12th grade to receive age-appropriate instruction about recognizing and preventing human trafficking. The curriculum must be developed by the education commissioner with input from criminal justice services, covering signs of trafficking and prevention strategies for students, parents, and school staff. Schools must provide this education as part of their regular coursework, with model materials available online from the state department. The law takes effect July 1 following its enactment, mandating concrete policy changes in public school curricula.

Maddy summaryS 6041 would permit individuals in New York who have filed for asylum under federal immigration law to work in the state. The bill directs the New York State labor commissioner to create rules making asylum seekers eligible for employment, bypassing potential delays in federal work authorization. This applies directly to people who have submitted asylum applications and are living in New York. The law would take effect immediately upon passage.

Prohibits police and other governmental entities from creating fake electronic communication service accounts, or from collecting or using an individual's account information; establishes a private right of action for a violation of such provisions.