Sen. Nathalia Fernández

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution officially designates May 2026 as Black Heritage Month and May 31, 2026, as National Black Heritage Day in Panama. The measure honors the cultural and historical contributions of Afro-Panamanian communities, including their music, art, and role in shaping the nation's identity. It specifically calls on New Yorkers to recognize and celebrate the legacy of African and Antillean descendants in Panama. A copy of the resolution will be sent to the Panamanian-American community in New York State.

Establishes a special needs assisted living demonstration program to authorize up to three assisted living programs throughout the state to serve individuals with special needs, including, but not limited to, individuals with dementia or cognitive impairments.

Provides cost-of-living adjustments for certain public retirees, including an adjusted benefit in monthly installments that is equal to the percentage of the change in consumer price index according to the included schedule.

Prohibits the participation of certain animals in traveling animal acts; prohibits the department of environmental conservation from issuing permits or licenses allowing participation of certain animals in traveling animal acts; excludes certain permanent performing institutions; imposes a civil penalty not to exceed $1000 for a violation.

Establishes application processing and review requirements for reprieves, commutations and pardons by the governor; requires the governor to provide: a written notification that the application has been received; a receipt number that the applicant can then use to check on the applicant's application status; guidelines for supplementing the application with additional or updated information; and a notification when a decision is made on the application; requires quarterly reports to the legislature regarding reprieves, commutations and pardons.

Maddy summaryS 897 requires employers to provide nursing employees with a designated room for expressing breast milk that includes a sink or basin specifically for washing breast pump attachments, upon the employee's request. This amendment to New York's labor law (section 206-c) updates existing requirements for workplace accommodations by adding this specific provision for equipment cleaning. The bill directly affects nursing employees in workplaces who need to express milk, ensuring their designated space includes necessary facilities for hygiene. Employers must provide this sink in a room that is private, well-lit, near work areas, and not a restroom. The bill amends existing law and was referred to the Labor committee on January 8, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill defines a "noncompliant state agency" as one failing to meet specific deadlines for submitting contracts with not-for-profit organizations to the attorney general. It requires agencies that miss deadlines to submit monthly reports detailing delayed contracts, reasons for delays, corrective steps, and estimated completion dates - publicly posting these reports online. Agencies must also provide similar reports to nonprofits and submit detailed six-month improvement plans to state leaders, outlining how they will fix contracting delays. Additionally, the bill clarifies that temporary "written directives" allowing nonprofits to continue services during negotiations must specify payment terms and interest for late payments.

Requires public agencies to establish preliminary license application procedures to determine whether an applicant for a license would be ineligible for such license based on criminal history; establishes time frames for public agencies to respond to such applications; requires public agencies to report information regarding granting licenses annually.

Establishes the "clean fuel standard of 2026"; provides such standard is intended to reduce greenhouse gas intensity from the on-road transportation sector, with further reductions to be implemented based upon advances in technology.

Describes the role of the ignition interlock monitor as well as requirements of people charged with violations that require the installation of an ignition interlock device to comply with court orders.