Sen. Nathalia Fernández

Prohibits employers from using the federal electronic employment verification system to check the employment authorization status of an existing employee or an applicant who has not been offered employment and prohibits municipalities from requiring employers to use the federal electronic employment verification system.

Amends provisions relating to public campaign financing; changes certain thresholds and procedures; permits retention of matching funds for future use; specifies when a candidate is opposed by a competitive candidate; requires a disclosure on political communications.

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.

Relates to required notification of an incarcerated individual's emergency contacts when such incarcerated individual experiences a serious medical event; provides that incarcerated individuals and their representatives shall have the right to access such incarcerated individual's medical records; provides requirements for access to such medical records; establishes an independent medical oversight body to monitor and evaluate the quality of medical care provided to incarcerated individuals within correctional facilities and to ensure compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements for adequate medical care; provides penalties for certain violations; requires the department of corrections and community supervision to collect data on medical incidents, response times, and correctional facility compliance with certain requirements, and to publish an annual report detailing such data.

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.

Relates to permitting support to a vulnerable elderly person testifying in grand jury proceedings; allows a social worker or informal caregiver to accompany a vulnerable elderly person testifying in a grand jury proceeding, concerning any type of offense, provided that the district attorney consents.

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.

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.

Relates to the tolling of statute of limitations for individuals in state custody; provides that with respect to state action brought by anyone to recover damages for physical, psychological, or other injury or condition suffered while in state custody, the time in which such action must commence shall be extended to three years after such person is released from such custody.