Sen. James Skoufis

Includes certain charges of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree as a qualifying offense for consideration of an order of recognizance, release under non-monetary conditions or bail.

Maddy summaryBill S 8065 prohibits the consumption of cannabis or the possession of an open container of a cannabis product in the passenger area of most motor vehicles located on public roadways. This applies to both the operator and passengers, with violations being a traffic infraction. An "open container" is defined as one with a broken seal or partially removed contents, and the "passenger area" includes spaces readily accessible to the driver or passengers. However, the bill provides an exception for passengers in commercial vehicles designed to carry ten or more people for profit or hire, such as buses or limousines.

Relates to establishing the banking bill of rights; includes due process requirements regarding applications for or closure of credit and deposit accounts and penalties for noncompliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 7282 ("No Slavery in New York Act"), prohibits involuntary servitude and forced labor for all incarcerated individuals in New York State correctional facilities, including those convicted of crimes. It amends the Civil Rights Law to explicitly ban slavery, involuntary servitude, and forced labor in the state, and adds a new provision to the Correction Law banning any labor compelled by force, adverse actions, or threats. The law takes effect immediately and directly affects all people incarcerated in state and local correctional facilities across New York.

Prohibits the use of aversive conditioning which includes any procedure which causes obvious signs of physical pain, including but not limited to hitting, pinching and electric shock; prohibits the use of any procedure or punishment which denies a vulnerable person reasonable sleep, shelter, bedding, bathroom facilities and any other aspect expected of a humane existence; defines terms.

Allows for unlicensed individuals to collect throat or nasopharyngeal swab specimens and to perform certain nursing tasks during a state disaster emergency.

Establishes local labor requirements as part of the approval to receive a real property tax business investment exception; requires eighty-five percent of workers hired by a contractor or developer for a project to be from the same county or an adjoining county or, in certain circumstances, the state of New York.

Relates to pretrial mental health and substance abuse evaluations and treatment for certain defendants; establishes the pretrial mental health and substance abuse services bail fund.

Establishes the "New York public banking act"; authorizes municipal and other local governments to form and control public banks through the ownership of capital stock or other ownership interests, and to loan or grant public funds or lend public credit to such public banks for the public purposes of achieving cost savings, strengthening local economies, supporting community economic development, and addressing infrastructure and housing needs for localities.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the definition of a "bottle club" under New York's alcohol laws by raising the required capacity threshold from 20 to 100 people. It directly affects venues operating for profit that serve alcohol on-site, requiring them to obtain a specific license if they accommodate 100 or more people. The key provision modifies the legal standard for when a venue must hold this license, without altering other definitions or restrictions in the law.