Sen. Jamaal Bailey

Enacts the "Omnibus Prevailing Wage Enforcement Act"; creates the office of the prevailing wage fraud inspector general for increased vigilance in the effort to achieve prevailing wage enforcement; allows public authorities to require that successful bidders for public works jobs participate in a state-sponsored apprenticeship program; makes related provisions.

Creates minority and women-owned business enterprise regional advocates; provides that the advocates will help ensure that municipal agencies comply with the provisions of law relating to minority and women-owned business enterprises.

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 persons held in custody to be released immediately upon posting bail; requires use and acceptance of electronic signatures and records to effectuate communications relating to posting bail.

Relates to the appointment and reporting duties of the superintendent of the state police and to the appointment of employees of the state police; requires the approval of certain duties of the state police by the superintendent of the state police.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 860) blocks the approval of charter school applications when converting an existing public school, if the school has a documented pattern of serious violations of civil service laws protecting employee rights. Specifically, it prevents approval if the school interfered with or discriminated against employees under state labor rules, as determined by the Public Employment Relations Board. The law requires that such violations must be resolved before a new application can be submitted in the future. It directly affects public schools seeking to convert to charter status by adding a new eligibility condition based on past labor practices.

Creates an identification card program for incarcerated individuals in local correctional facilities; requires such identification cards to be identical to non-driver identification cards issued to the general public; waives fees for such identification cards.

Maddy summaryBill S 7617, known as the "Safer Consumption Services Act," allows the Department of Health to approve entities to establish overdose prevention center programs. These programs provide hygienic spaces for individuals to consume preobtained drugs, staffed by healthcare professionals or trained personnel. They offer sterile supplies, overdose prevention education, administer first aid, and provide referrals to substance use disorder treatment and other services. The bill grants immunity from criminal, civil, or administrative penalties to participants, program staff, and property owners solely for their good faith involvement in an approved program.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets specific time limits for scheduling criminal trials based on the severity of charges. For felony cases, trials must begin within six months; for serious misdemeanors (over 3 months jail), within 90 days; for minor misdemeanors (under 3 months), within 60 days; and for violations, within 30 days. If trials aren't scheduled by these deadlines, defendants must be released on bail or their own recognizance, with certain delays (like court proceedings or defendant absence) excluded from the count. It directly affects defendants awaiting trial and requires prosecutors to meet these timelines.