Sen. James Skoufis

Authorizes Liliana Fernandez-Clemente, the widow of Daniel Clemente, to file a new service retirement application and option election form with the New York state and local employees' retirement system on behalf of such deceased member.

Prohibits certain persons from receiving compensation for legal fees, consulting, or other work performed for an industrial development agency, an economic assistance corporation or state or local authority; relates to consultant disclosure requirements.

Maddy summaryNew York's S 407 bill expands the attorney general's authority to investigate violations of the public officers law. It explicitly allows the attorney general to request and receive cooperation from state agencies, local governments, and other entities during investigations. The bill clarifies that district attorneys retain their existing authority to handle such cases and requires the attorney general to report weekly investigation findings to the governor. This change directly affects state agencies, public officials under investigation, and the attorney general's office. The policy focuses on streamlining oversight of public officials' conduct through enhanced investigative tools.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state agencies and the legislature to proactively publish certain public records online when they are available under existing law and deemed "of substantial interest to the public." It mandates that agencies post these records on their websites (if technologically feasible) and allows removal when records are no longer relevant or reach their legal retention period, while exempting privacy-sensitive materials. The law aims to increase government transparency by making key documents more accessible without creating new obligations beyond current disclosure requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that formally honors Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis posthumously after he received the Congressional Medal of Honor and was inducted into the Hall of Heroes. The resolution acknowledges Ollis's sacrifice during a 2013 Taliban attack in Afghanistan, where he shielded an allied officer and saved over 40 personnel. It recognizes the Medal of Honor ceremony held at the White House and Ollis's induction at the Pentagon, noting that his name is now inscribed on the Medal of Honor Garden Wall. The resolution concludes by directing a copy of the document to Ollis's family.

Provides that the "Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Flag" shall be the official state flag for the raising of awareness of veteran suicide; directs the commissioner of general services to establish a protocol for the flying of such flag.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for theft and fraud targeting individuals aged 60 or older, classifying these crimes as Class B felonies. It directly affects elderly victims (60+) and perpetrators of such offenses, including common scams like identity theft or fake tech support calls. The law creates two new criminal provisions: Section 165.80 for theft against elderly persons and Section 190.91 for fraud against elderly persons, both elevating penalties from lesser offenses. This change reflects legislative intent to address a 14% rise in elder fraud complaints (2023) and $77.7 billion in global fraud linked to elderly victims annually.

Relates to protecting the communication rights of individuals with disabilities; provides that each person with a disability has the right to autonomously communicate in their preferred manner and utilize any validated communication supports that meet their needs.

Renames the block grant for child care to the early childhood fund; requires the office of children and family services administer such fund; expands who qualifies for guaranteed child care assistance.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows plaintiffs who have obtained a judgment against a defendant to directly collect unpaid amounts from third parties who owe money to that defendant. It applies when a judgment remains unsatisfied for 30 days and a separate legal claim exists for contribution or indemnification between the defendant and a third party. The law enables plaintiffs to either collect directly from the third party up to the indemnification amount or take over the defendant's legal claim against the third party to pursue it themselves. The measure does not apply if the third party would be protected by workers' compensation laws or if the third party was the plaintiff's employer at the time of injury.