Sen. Luis Sepúlveda

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits police officers from using chemical agents - such as pepper spray, tear gas, or oleoresin capsicum - against any minor under 18 years old in all circumstances. It directly affects minors under 18 and requires all police departments to update their use-of-force policies to ban these chemical agents. The law amends existing policy rules to explicitly forbid such use, applying immediately upon enactment. This is a policy change to restrict specific police tactics targeting children, with no exemptions or exceptions specified.

Expands the maximum benefit and eligibility requirements for financial assistance for burial arrangements; provides for expedited assistance during a state disaster emergency.

Maddy summaryS 895 requires courts to automatically expunge arrest records when an arrest is deemed "voidable" (meaning no charges were filed, the arrest lacked probable cause, or charges were dismissed). It mandates that courts issue expungement orders within 30 days of an arrest becoming voidable, and directs law enforcement agencies to destroy physical records like photos, fingerprints, and documents within the same timeframe. Individuals affected can answer employment questions as if the arrest never occurred, and courts must notify both the person and their attorney of the expungement. This applies to all arrests meeting the "voidable" criteria in New York, streamlining record clearance without requiring individual petitions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4502) repeals a 2011 law that imposed an annual spending cap on state Medicaid funding and related administrative processes. It specifically removes Sections 91 and 92 of Chapter 59, which limited how much the state could spend on Medicaid each year. By eliminating this cap, the bill allows Medicaid funding to increase without the previous annual spending restriction. This change directly affects the state’s Medicaid program, which provides health coverage to low-income residents, by removing a barrier to funding growth. The repeal would take effect immediately upon enactment.

Establishes the teachers' fossil fuel divestment act; requires the New York state teachers' retirement system to divest the retirement system of any stocks, securities, equities, assets, or other obligations of corporations or companies included on an exclusion list of coal producers and oil and gas producers.

Relates to the money deposited as bail by charitable bail organizations; removes maximum authorized amount of money allowed to be deposited by such organizations.

Deems individuals facing criminal charges as being incapable of consent when the actor is a police officer, peace officer or other law enforcement agent who knows or reasonably should know that such person is facing pending charges unless such person is a member of the same family or household as such police officer, peace officer or other law enforcement agent.

Adds cargo bicycles with electric assist to the types of bicycles with electric assist regulated under the vehicle and traffic law; provides that no person shall operate a cargo bicycle with electric assist unless it is accompanied by proof of financial security unless otherwise authorized by local law, ordinance, order, rule, or regulation or pursuant to an agreement made on behalf of the city, town, or village.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 25% tax credit for homeowners who install fire sprinkler systems in their residences. It directly affects residential property owners in municipalities that do not already require sprinkler systems. The credit covers 25% of labor and material costs, with a maximum annual credit of $5,000. The credit can be carried forward if it exceeds current tax liability but cannot reduce tax below the minimum amount required. The program begins for taxable years starting January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York teachers to complete mandatory continuing education focused on mental health. Specifically, it mandates that during each five-year teacher registration period, educators must complete at least two sessions (out of a total 100 required hours) covering mental health topics like identifying early signs of mental illness, behavioral health disorders, eating disorders, crisis de-escalation, and evidence-based programs such as Mental Health First Aid. The training must be developed by the education and health departments and integrated into existing teacher certification requirements. It directly affects all K-12 teachers seeking or renewing their teaching licenses in New York State.