Sen. James Skoufis

Maddy summaryS 6246 permanently extends the "alternate method of court appearance" process under Article 182 of the criminal procedure law, which allows defendants in certain counties to participate in court proceedings remotely via electronic means. This bill removes the previously scheduled expiration date (September 1, 2025) from Chapter 689 of the 1993 laws, making the electronic court appearance system permanent. It directly affects defendants and courts in counties that currently use this remote appearance option, ensuring the process remains available without needing future legislative renewal. The key mechanism is amending Section 2 of the law to eliminate the sunset provision, confirming the policy's ongoing validity.

Requires gas pipeline facilities to accelerate the repair, rehabilitation, and replacement of equipment or pipelines that are leaking or leak prone and increase safety reporting relating to gas pipeline leaks; requires the public service commission to establish timelines for the repair, rehabilitation or replacement of leaking or leak prone infrastructure; requires the commission to provide a gas safety report to the legislature.

Provides the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly the ability to appoint four members each of the state university of New York's board of trustees; reduces the members of such board the governor appoints to seven.

Requires the return of all or a part of the financial assistance provided for a project where the project has material shortfalls or material violations; prevents the use of funds, financial incentives, subsidies or tax exemptions for projects already in development.

Exempts private investigators from restrictions on possessing a weapon in sensitive and restrictive locations while traveling to and from and during the course of their employment and at any necessary and appropriate location during work hours; clarifies that a security guard may possess a weapon going to and from work.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New York's enhanced STAR property tax exemption program by including distributions from thrift savings plans (established before 1984) in the calculation of applicant income. It affects homeowners applying for the enhanced STAR credit, which provides property tax relief to seniors and disabled residents with low income. The key change expands the definition of "adjusted gross income" to exclude these specific retirement distributions from taxable income. Applicants who didn't file tax returns must now submit income statements showing what would have been reported, to complete their exemption applications.

Provides for the initiation of treatment for COVID-19, influenza, and pharyngitis resulting from a Group A streptococcal infection by a licensed pharmacist in certain circumstances.

Maddy summaryThis bill raises the minimum age to use tanning beds and other ultraviolet radiation devices from 18 to 21 years old. It directly affects tanning facilities, which will be prohibited from allowing anyone under 21 to use these devices. The law amendment explicitly states that no owner, operator, or employee may permit underage use. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 6411, restores the eligibility for a 20-year service retirement for certain New York City corrections officers who are members of the uniformed correction revised plan. It amends current law to define their normal retirement age as completing 20 years of service, reducing it from 22 years. This change allows these officers to receive their full normal service retirement benefits after 20 years of service, regardless of age, rather than an early retirement benefit.

Relates to first responders, including correction officers, coming into contact with saliva by spitting, throwing, tossing, or expelling from or by an individual.