Sen. Jamaal Bailey

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all helicopters operating within New York State to be equipped with three specific safety devices: flight recorders (to capture flight data), cockpit voice recorders, and terrain awareness and warning systems. It directly affects helicopter operators, including commercial and private pilots, by mandating these devices on all aircraft except those used exclusively by the U.S. government, National Guard, or state civil departments. The law amends existing aviation regulations to enforce this equipment requirement, effective 180 days after enactment. The provision aims to enhance aviation safety through standardized data collection and hazard alerts during flight operations.

Maddy summaryS 4961 requires most health insurance policies in New York to cover cranial prostheses (wigs or hairpieces) for individuals with medical hair loss due to conditions like alopecia, lupus, or injury. It mandates coverage when a licensed provider prescribes the prosthesis as part of treatment for a diagnosed health condition, chronic illness, or injury. Coverage is limited to one instance per year with a $750 maximum per use, subject to existing cost-sharing requirements. The bill applies to individual, group, and hospital service policies, effective immediately upon enactment.

Provides for unpaid leave of absence for victims of domestic violence; permits victims of domestic violence to take an unpaid leave of absence for twenty days from employment to address on-going domestic violence; defines "address on-going domestic violence"; contains provision to protect the individual's job position and benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers to provide 30 days' written notice before withdrawing from the state workers' compensation insurance fund. Employers must submit this notice to the fund at least 30 days prior to their intended withdrawal date, and the fund must file a notice of cancellation at least 10 days before the effective date. The new private insurance contract cannot take effect until the state fund cancellation is finalized, preventing gaps in coverage. This applies specifically to employers switching from the state fund to private insurers under existing rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets pay rates for court-appointed lawyers representing people who cannot afford legal representation. It establishes $158 per hour for misdemeanor cases (both in and out of court) and $164 per hour for all other cases, with annual adjustments starting in 2027 based on federal standards. Total case payments are capped at $10,000 (adjusted annually), and lawyers must submit sworn statements detailing their work to receive reimbursement. The policy directly affects appointed defense attorneys in county court proceedings.

Prohibits any person from transporting, holding, buying, selling, giving, receiving or marketing a nonambulatory animal unless such animal is first humanely euthanized without undue delay from the time that such animal becomes nonambulatory; makes certain exceptions; provides violation provisions; defines relevant terms.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets annual caseload limits for public defenders representing low-income clients in criminal cases. It requires that no public defender handle more than 367 misdemeanor cases or 138 felony cases per year, with each felony counting as roughly 2.66 misdemeanors in mixed caseloads. The law applies specifically to constitutionally mandated public defense services in criminal matters. The policy aims to ensure defenders have manageable workloads to provide adequate representation.

Relates to the discovery provisions applicable to juvenile delinquency proceedings in family court with regard to the timing of discovery, disclosure prior to certain guilty pleas, DNA evidence, court orders, and the admissibility of discovery.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires social services districts or authorized agencies to send written notice to a school's principal within the first day a foster care child enrolls. The notice must include specific details like the child's name, foster placement address, previous school, and social services contact, ensuring schools are promptly informed of a student's foster care status. All information shared under this bill must be kept confidential and cannot be disclosed beyond the required notification. The law takes effect 120 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires insurance companies to provide written notice with detailed explanations for rate increases on policies covering state or municipal backed buildings (such as state-owned properties, subsidized housing, or developments managed by housing authorities). Insurers must send this notice 60-120 days before the rate change takes effect, including the specific rationale and calculation method used. The law applies to all policies for these properties issued, renewed, or modified on or after the effective date. It directly affects insurance companies and the state/municipal entities or building owners that rely on these policies.