Sen. Robert Jackson

Directs the boards of trustees of SUNY and CUNY to create a free or reduced meal plan to aid students whose household incomes are below the federal poverty line, students participating in educational opportunity programs under section three hundred fifty-five-d of this article and students receiving federal Pell grants.

Maddy summaryS 7377 establishes a framework for creating and operating mental health clubhouses across New York State. These clubhouses provide free, community-based support for people with serious mental illness, offering services like job training, housing assistance, and social activities through a non-clinical therapeutic environment. The bill requires clubhouses to be accredited, near public transportation (with virtual options for rural areas), and submit biennial reports on membership, employment, housing, and crisis support to the Office of Mental Health. The Office of Mental Health must develop a statewide implementation plan within one year to guide accreditation and compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows school districts to establish seven specific cultural and religious holidays - Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Diwali, Lunar New Year, Tihar, Bandi Chhor Divas, and Onam - as official school holidays. It applies only to districts where the local school board determines there is a sizable student population observing these days. The provision gives districts flexibility to recognize these holidays without mandating statewide changes. The bill does not require any district to adopt these holidays but provides a framework for local decisions. It takes effect on July 1 following enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases financial assistance standards for New York residents receiving public assistance. Starting July 1, 2025, the monthly need standard for eligibility and maximum benefit amounts will double (e.g., from $158 to $316 for single-person households), with annual adjustments tied to federal cost-of-living changes. Home energy grants and supplemental home energy grants also double starting July 2025 (e.g., from $14.10 to $28.20 monthly for single-person households). These changes directly affect low-income individuals and families qualifying for state public assistance programs.

Provides assistance to incarcerated individuals being released from correctional facilities for enrollment in safety net assistance, public assistance, supplemental assistance program (SNAP), special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children (WIC), the home energy assistance program (HEAP), supplemental security income, and state supplemental payments.

Establishes a state SNAP minimum benefit program to provide a minimum amount of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits that is higher than the amount of federal SNAP benefits.

Renames the state aid for certain independent institutions of higher learning to the Leonard P. Stavisky student success grants; requires certain institutions and colleges to submit a report on the use of the state aid apportionment received including how it supported student success.

Relates to the execution of a warrant of arrest; authorizes the commissioner of the division of criminal justice services to establish a system to record and monitor the issuance and execution of search warrants; authorizes the chief administrator of the court system to establish educational programs for judicial personnel on the law of searches, arrests and seizures.

Enacts the "data economy labor compensation and accountability act"; establishes the office of consumer data protection for the purpose of properly safeguarding personal data; imposes a tax on data controllers and data processors required to register with such office.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes time limits for specific tests taken by students in city districts. It ensures state assessments, city district-created tests, and standardized exams administered to these students cannot be restricted by time limits. The law directly affects all students in city school districts by allowing tests to be completed without fixed time constraints. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.