Relates to school climate and codes of conduct on school property and disciplinary action following violation of such codes of conduct; makes conforming amendments.
Maddy summaryS 861 establishes a New York state program allowing residents to pay off college debt for family members tax-free. It creates tax-deferred accounts where contributions grow without state or federal income tax, and withdrawals for qualified education expenses (like tuition, books, or 2009-2010 computer purchases) are also tax-free. The program requires cash contributions, separate accounting per beneficiary, and limits investment changes to twice yearly. It directly affects New York residents who want to help family members (spouses, children, or cousins) with higher education costs through this state-run debt repayment mechanism.
Requires electronic benefit transfer systems to include automatic credit or debit card cancellation when fraudulent activity has been reported; directs that such cancellation shall occur as soon as the procedure for reporting fraudulent activity has been completed.
Relates to the housing of transgender or intersex incarcerated individuals; authorizes the sheriff to assign a transgender or intersex incarcerated individual to any facility housing unit which shall ensure the incarcerated individual's health and safety.
Establishes Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as school holidays, with dates established by religious law and tradition; allows for school districts and municipalities with a population of less than fifty thousand to opt into the recognition of such holidays.
Alters the composition of the state board of parole to include members who shall adequately reflect the composition of the prison population in race, age, and geographic area of residence.
Relates to establishing emergency release protocols during a time of crisis including during a state disaster emergency which places the lives, health or well-being of people in custody at risk.
Maddy summaryThis bill permits voters to take photographs of themselves and their own ballot at any voting stage (including in privacy booths or at ballot scanners), provided the photos don't include other voters or reveal others' ballots. It directly affects all voters by expanding their ability to document their voting experience on social media. The key provision explicitly prohibits soliciting others to show ballots or forcing someone to photograph their ballot (a new misdemeanor offense). The law amends election code to clarify these rights and restrictions without altering voting procedures. It takes immediate effect upon enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases the handling fee paid to redemption centers for processing empty beverage containers. Currently 3.5 cents per container, the fee rises to 6 cents starting April 1, 2025, and will automatically adjust annually based on New York State or federal minimum wage increases. The adjustment uses the percentage increase in the new minimum wage (rounded to the nearest $0.005), with New York’s wage rate for NYC employers with 11+ staff used if applicable. It directly affects dealers and operators of redemption centers, compensating them for collecting, sorting, and packaging containers. The fee cannot be tied to purchases or deducted from refund value accounts.
Prohibits the operation of horse drawn cabs in the city of New York; defines the circumstances under which sale or disposal of a horse shall be deemed humane.
