Sen. Shelley Mayer

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York State law to explicitly include bias-related graffiti as a hate crime. Specifically, it adds "making graffiti" (section 145.60 of the penal law) to the list of offenses that qualify as hate crimes when motivated by bias against race, religion, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics. This means graffiti displaying hate symbols or slurs would now be prosecuted under hate crime statutes rather than as a standard property offense. The change affects individuals who create such graffiti and communities targeted by these acts, ensuring bias-motivated vandalism receives heightened legal scrutiny. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025, pending final passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 6795) gives New York utility consumers the right to choose between analog and digital meters for electricity, water, or gas without fees, penalties, or service charges. It requires utilities to provide 90 days' written notice before installing digital meters and lets consumers refuse the switch or demand a return to analog meters at any time. Utilities must replace digital meters with analog ones within 10 days for those with electromagnetic sensitivity or 30 days for others upon written request. The law also prevents utilities from installing digital meters in multi-unit buildings if 50% or more of residents opt out.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's labor law to clarify which private construction projects must follow prevailing wage rules when using public funds. It defines "covered projects" as those where public funds make up at least 20% of total costs (over $5 million) or $3 million+ in public funds. The law excludes single-family homes, small nonprofits, and certain affordable housing projects (like those with 25%+ affordable units under 15-year agreements) from these requirements. It also specifies that tax benefits, loan savings, and some public subsidies do not count as "public funds" for this purpose.

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 lowers the voting age for school district elections to 16 years old. It amends multiple sections of the education law to replace "eighteen" with "sixteen" in eligibility requirements, including voting age for school board elections, absentee voting forms, and board member qualifications. The change directly affects 16- and 17-year-old residents of school districts who meet other voting requirements (like residency). The bill makes no other changes to voting rules and applies only to school district elections, not general elections.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's real property tax law to clarify that interest on missed installment payments begins accruing on the original due date of the payment, not later. It directly affects property owners who pay taxes in installments and miss a payment deadline. The key provision specifies that interest starts immediately from the missed payment's due date, as determined by law, rather than from a later date. This change streamlines the interest calculation process for local tax authorities and property owners.

Establishes a civil cause of action for employees who are subjected to an abusive work environment; provides employers shall be vicariously liable for such work environment.

Establishes the professional practice of community midwifery; defines as the management in the home, birth center, or community setting, of normal pregnancies, child birth, and postpartum care, including newborn evaluation, resuscitation and referral for infants; sets requirements for license and practice.

Relates to liability for unlawful discriminatory practices based upon the conduct of an employee or agent; provides that an employer, licensing agency, employment agency, or labor organization shall be liable for an unlawful discriminatory practice based upon the conduct of an employee or agent where the employee or agent exercised managerial or supervisory responsibility or the conduct was carried out by a non-managerial or non-supervisory employee and such conduct was not stopped or corrected.

Aligns utility regulation with state climate justice and emission reduction targets; provides for a statewide affordable gas transition plan and utility home energy affordable transition programs; repeals provisions relating to continuation of gas service; repeals provisions relating to the sale of indigenous natural gas for generation of electricity.