Sen. Jim Tedisco

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4461) changes how police handle arrests and releases for certain offenses. It replaces old rules allowing officers to issue "appearance tickets" instead of making arrests with new criteria, specifying 11 situations where an arrest is required (e.g., hate crimes, family violence, or outstanding warrants). It also creates standardized pre-arraignment bail amounts for release before court - up to $750 for class E felonies, $500 for misdemeanors - and allows credit card payments for traffic cases. These changes directly affect police officers, people charged with crimes, and court procedures in New York. The bill does not alter sentencing or penalties but modifies early-stage law enforcement and court processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new state program to expand broadband access in New York by shifting from a top-down approach to a locally-driven model. It allows counties and local communities to form regional groups (regional consortia) that design their own broadband plans to cover all residents in underserved areas - defined as locations with internet speeds below 100 Mbps - using state and federal funds. Key provisions include requiring these regional plans to guarantee universal coverage, permitting local collaboration with internet service providers, and prioritizing access over speed or reliability. The program replaces the existing "New NY Broadband Program" and gives local governments direct control over how infrastructure (like fiber or mobile hotspots) is deployed in their communities.

Enacts "the combating campus antisemitism act"; prohibits the granting of tuition assistance awards to any student who has knowingly engaged in promoting antisemitism in a manner that is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action, that constitutes "true threats"; makes related provisions.

Establishes a supplemental household and dependent care credit payment for taxpayers who are eligible for certain household and dependent care services necessary for gainful employment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 7302) modifies New York's firearms licensing process by allowing applicants to request privacy for their personal information (name, address, etc.) on public records. It affects anyone applying for or renewing a firearms license, giving them a new option to avoid public disclosure if they meet specific safety or privacy grounds - such as being a law enforcement officer, under a protection order, or fearing harassment. The licensing officer must grant these privacy requests unless false information is provided, while still allowing law enforcement access to the records upon request. The change updates existing rules to add this privacy option during the license application and recertification process.

Extends provisions relating to establishing the stretch limousine passenger safety task force; authorizes the stretch limousine passenger safety task force to continue to hold public hearings and meetings to review the actions taken by the state and to publish a report of its findings.

Prohibits a municipality from relocating migrants from such municipality to another municipality in New York unless and until a resolution authorizing the relocation has been adopted by the governing bodies of both the municipality to which the migrants are to be relocated and the county in which the receiving municipality is located; mandates written notice prior to location; provides for a fine for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a religious exemption allowing children to attend school without required vaccinations if their parent, guardian, or legal custodian holds genuine and sincere religious beliefs opposing the vaccines. It directly affects families seeking to exempt their children from vaccination requirements for school attendance. The key provision amends public health law to require schools to accept such religious exemptions without demanding a certificate, while still reporting immunization status for exempt children. The exemption covers vaccines for diseases like measles, polio, and pertussis, as specified in existing law. This changes school vaccination policy by adding a religious exception to the current immunization requirements.

Prohibits a person convicted of "Buster's Law" from owning or possessing a companion animal unless authorized by court order, after appropriate psychiatric or psychological testing.

Enhances penalties for aggravated cruelty to animals by making such offense a felony, including torture, beating, or killing of any animal; makes animal cruelty, including overdriving or depriving an animal of sustenance a felony when committed while released on recognizance for violating an order of protection; allows aggravated animal abuse to be considered for bail.