Sen. Michelle Hinchey

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal framework for anti-stalking orders to protect victims from repeated, severe harassment. It directly affects stalking victims (petitioners) and alleged stalkers (respondents) by establishing specific court procedures for obtaining protective orders. Key provisions require courts to issue orders prohibiting contact (including digital communication), surveillance, remote control of connected devices (like smart home systems), and proximity to victims' homes or workplaces. The law defines "stalking" broadly to include numerous offenses under existing penal codes, such as harassment, assault, and unauthorized sharing of intimate images. These orders can be issued quickly without notice for immediate threats, with final orders requiring a court hearing.

Requires an operator of a covered platform with at least one million users to ensure that its covered platform provides a process to allow law enforcement agencies to contact such covered platform, which shall provide continuous availability of such process; provides that an operator of a covered platform with at least one million users shall comply with a search warrant within seventy-two hours of receipt under certain circumstances; provides that a court may extend the time for compliance with a search warrant under certain circumstances.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires election boards to extend voting time at affected polling places or districts if voting is disrupted for over 15 consecutive minutes. If disruptions occur, the board must toll the voting clock during the delay and extend voting time proportionally afterward, or schedule additional voting on the next available day if same-day extension is impractical. The board must also publicly notify voters, candidates, media, and community groups about the extended hours through multiple communication channels. This directly affects voters at disrupted locations, election officials managing polling operations, and candidates needing to coordinate with affected districts.

Prohibits the sale of playground surfacing materials that contain PFAS, PAHs or lead; prevents sellers of playground surfacing materials that contain PFAS, PAHs or lead from being held in violation when relying in good faith on a certificate of compliance provided by the manufacturer; provides penalties for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases short-term disability and family leave benefits for eligible New York workers. It phases in higher weekly benefit rates (from 50% to 67% of average weekly wage) and extends maximum benefit periods (from 8-10 weeks to 12 weeks) over time, starting in 2018. These changes apply to employees taking leave for disability or qualifying family care needs under New York's workers' compensation law. The bill requires employers to maintain health benefits during leave and prohibits retaliation for taking leave. The superintendent of financial services may delay benefit increases if needed to maintain program stability.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the Department of Environmental Conservation's authority to manage Atlantic Cod populations until December 31, 2029. The change updates the existing legal timeframe for this specific fish species, allowing the department to continue its oversight and management efforts under current rules. By amending the Environmental Conservation Law, the legislation ensures that the department retains its power to regulate Atlantic Cod fishing and conservation activities for an additional period. The act takes effect immediately upon passage, providing continuity in the management of this marine resource.

Approves notice and proof of disability or proof of need for family leave, or proof of disability for a special cross-bow permit, from an attending nurse practitioner.

Provides that the New York state energy research and development authority shall provide information to residential and commercial consumers regarding renewable energy technology incentive and affordability programs through a variety of methods, including brochures, posters, social media, television ads, and public ambassadors.

Maddy summaryS 8701, the "Baby Food Safety and Transparency Act," requires manufacturers of baby food (excluding infant formula) sold in the state to test each batch monthly for toxic heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury using accredited labs. Manufacturers must publicly disclose test results online, including metal levels, product identifiers, and a link to FDA health information, with QR codes on labels directing consumers to this data. The law prohibits selling products exceeding state-set limits (based on federal standards) and allows consumers to report violations to the state department. It complements, but does not replace, existing federal regulations.

Provides that beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year, certain graduate students shall be required to pay 25% of all current and future mandatory university fees; provides that in the 2027-2028 academic year and thereafter, no mandatory university fees shall be charged to certain graduate students and adjunct staff, with the exclusion of the graduate student association student activity fee.