Sen. Jamaal Bailey

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New York State finance laws to establish stricter rules for state agencies that fail to sign contracts with not-for-profit organizations on time. It creates a specific definition for a "noncompliant" agency, which occurs when an agency repeatedly misses deadlines for submitting or finalizing contracts with these organizations over a six-month period. To address these failures, the bill requires noncompliant agencies to submit detailed monthly reports to the state comptroller and their legislative leaders, explaining the delays and outlining steps to fix internal processes. Additionally, the law clarifies that any temporary written directives allowing not-for-profits to start work before a contract is fully signed must include a payment schedule and a warning that late payments will incur interest.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the cannabis law to allow non-human entities, such as corporations or organizations, to become members of licensed adult-use cooperatives. Currently, only individual people are permitted to hold membership in these cooperatives, which are businesses that allow employees or community members to own shares in the company. By removing the requirement that members must be natural persons, the legislation broadens the pool of potential investors and stakeholders for these specific cannabis businesses. The change takes effect immediately upon passage, altering the eligibility criteria for cooperative membership without changing other aspects of the existing licensing framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New York state and its municipalities to create permanent memorials honoring those affected by COVID-19. It establishes a dedicated state fund to support these memorials through grants, donations, and other financial contributions. The law requires that memorial designs and locations be chosen through a community-driven process that prioritizes input from families and loved ones of victims. Additionally, the bill sets up specific financial rules to keep the memorial fund separate from other state money and allows for investment of unused funds.

Directs the office of mental health to establish programs for the training and development of persons capable of providing coaching and support to individuals under treatment plans developed by licensed mental health practitioners, including but not limited to a process of issuing, either directly or through contract, credentials for qualified mental health associates.

Directs the office of children and family services to establish a center for fatherhood initiatives to issue grants to any and all initiatives regarding the promotion and advancement of fatherhood, including but not limited to all marginalized fatherhood groups to help expand opportunities to improve parenting knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Criminal Procedure Law to ensure that electronically or electromagnetically transmitted copies of a governor's arrest warrant are legally considered original documents. The change directly affects law enforcement officers and other individuals tasked with executing these warrants by removing the requirement for a physical, paper copy. By amending Section 570.18, the legislation allows digital versions of the warrant to be used immediately without needing to print a hard copy, streamlining the arrest process. The act takes effect immediately upon passage, applying the new standard to all future warrant transmissions.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific stretch of State Route 28 in the village of Herkimer as the "War Dog Memorial Highway." The legislation requires the commissioner of transportation to install and maintain signs for this designation while clarifying that the change is ceremonial and does not alter the route's official legal name. This action serves to honor war dogs by giving a specific section of the road a commemorative title without disrupting traffic or commerce.

Provides for review of bail data reports by the state commission on judicial conduct to study such reports for evidence of bias or prejudice by any judge or justice, and where appropriate based on such reports, to initiate, investigate, and hear complaints and otherwise comment on matters of bias and prejudice evidenced therein.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors Jillian Hanesworth and Augustus Clarke for winning the 2024 Sports Emmy Award in the Short Film category. The bill formally recognizes their work on the film "Still Here," which highlights the resilience of Buffalo following the 2022 mass shooting and blizzard. It directs the legislative body to pause its proceedings to acknowledge their achievement and mandates that a copy of the resolution be sent to them. The measure serves as a public commendation of their specific contribution to the NFL 360 series rather than altering any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Governor Kathy Hochul to officially proclaim June 2024 as Black Music Month in New York State. The resolution recognizes the significant contributions of African American musicians to national culture and highlights local musical traditions, such as the Harlem Renaissance and the origins of hip-hop in the Bronx. It serves as a formal acknowledgment of the state's legislative body's support for celebrating this heritage rather than enacting new laws or policies.