Sen. Nathalia Fernández

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most traffic infractions hearings to be held in person, meaning drivers and witnesses must attend physically unless the driver or their lawyer specifically requests virtual participation. It also allows drivers to request a hearing delay before the hearing occurs or after it has started if they provide a valid reason ("good cause"). The law would take effect 30 days after enactment. This directly affects drivers facing traffic violations who must now attend hearings in person by default, with limited flexibility for virtual attendance or adjournments.

Includes Middle Eastern and North African persons in the definition of "minority group member" for purposes of participation by minority group members and women with respect to state contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public and private schools in the state to include instruction about the January 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection and its aftermath as part of mandated civic education courses for students over age eight. It amends education law to add this event to required curriculum topics alongside other historical subjects like slavery, the Holocaust, and genocide. Schools must teach the historical context, significance, and consequences of the insurrection, with oversight by the education commissioner. Non-compliance could result in withheld school funding, as the law mandates this instruction be integrated into existing citizenship and history lessons.

Enacts "Cariol's Law"; provides for a duty to intervene when a police officer or peace officer observes another police officer or peace officer using physical force that such officer reasonably believes to be clearly excessive or beyond that which is objectively reasonable under the circumstances.

Requires that each police officer and peace officer involved in the execution of a search warrant wear a functioning and unobstructed body camera that shall be active prior to and throughout the execution of the search and during any related action following the execution of the search warrant.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York school districts to implement age-appropriate hate crime awareness curriculum. It directs the education commissioner, with input from the Division of Human Rights, to develop content covering discrimination, religious intolerance (including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia), and positive actions for inclusion. Schools may integrate this into existing social studies or other curricula, without requiring statewide uniformity. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, after enactment.

Prohibits hospital interference with patient care where the practitioner is acting in good faith and within the scope of their practice; defines emergency medical conditions; requires appropriate medical screening and stabilizing treatment of persons in an emergency department, including pregnant persons, or appropriate transfer.

Repeals the tax exempt status of private universities that received real property tax exemptions of one hundred million dollars or more during the prior fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a requirement that applicants must pass an examination to become a licensed master social worker. It directly affects individuals seeking this specific license by removing the exam hurdle. The bill removes paragraph (d) of subdivision 1 of section 7704 in the education law, which previously mandated the exam. This is a procedural change to licensing rules with no new requirements added.

Prohibits accessing or distributing certain sexually explicit depictions of children; prohibits consent to such depictions by anyone under eighteen years of age; makes such crimes eligible for bail; includes certain crimes as sex offenses.