Sen. Jim Tedisco

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 230) updates New York's public health law regarding the handling of fetal remains after a spontaneous fetal death at any gestational age. It requires hospitals to inform gestational parents both orally and in writing about their right to direct burial, entombment, or cremation of fetal remains. The law mandates that remains be released to the gestational parent upon request (with a permit), clarifies that parents bear all costs for disposition, and specifies that fetal death registration follows birth/death protocols without requiring separate certificates. The changes apply to all spontaneous fetal deaths, regardless of gestational age, and streamline reporting procedures for local registrars.

Requires each violator of "Buster's Law" to register the violator's name and address with the division of criminal justice services; makes the registration available to the public, law enforcement entities, district attorneys, humane societies, societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals, dog or cat protective associations, animal control officers, breeders of animals, animal rescues and pet stores.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New York municipalities to choose whether to offer a 5% property tax exemption on qualifying residential properties owned by active or retired National Guard members and military reservists. To qualify, the property must be the owner’s primary residence (with exceptions for medical reasons), and the applicant must submit an annual application with a U.S. Department of Defense "twenty-year favorable service letter." The exemption applies only to the residential portion of the property and cannot be stacked with existing military tax benefits. Municipalities must adopt local ordinances to implement this option, which takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a $10 one-time service fee for veterans applying for special license plates that recognize military service. Currently, veterans pay this $10 charge in addition to standard registration fees, but the bill eliminates it entirely. The change applies to all veteran-specific plates covered under state law, including those for organizations like the American Legion or VFW. Veterans will now only pay standard registration fees when obtaining these plates, with no additional charge. The bill does not alter eligibility requirements or introduce new benefits.

Maddy summaryS 686 requires schools to accept a standardized medical immunization exemption form for students, directly affecting students needing exemptions, their parents/guardians, and school staff. The bill mandates that the form include parent/guardian details, student information, a medical reason from a licensed provider, and a certification stating certain vaccines (like measles or polio) could be harmful. Schools and state agencies cannot impose additional requirements beyond this specific form for exemption approval. This standardizes the process, ensuring consistency in how medical exemptions are handled for school enrollment.

Relates to establishing the born alive abortion survivors' protection to require any health care practitioner present at the time the child is born alive during an abortion or attempted abortion procedure to exercise the same degree of professional skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child as a reasonably diligent and conscientious health care practitioner would render to any other child born alive at the same gestational age; and follow the exercise of skill, care, and diligence and ensure that the child born alive is immediately transported and admitted to a hospital.

Establishes the crime of aggravated offering of a false accusation against a police officer or peace officer for knowing the information reported to be false or baseless, such person reports, by word or action, to a law enforcement officer or agency, the wrongdoing by a police officer or peace officer in the performance of such officer's duties; requires the posting of bail.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all state police officers and municipal/town police departments to provide annual diversity training to every officer. It mandates training on topics including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, and disability, plus conflict reduction techniques. Funding for these sessions will come from seized asset funds and state criminal justice budgets, disbursed as grants to municipalities. The program must begin by January 1, 2026, and applies to all current and new officers across all police agencies in the state.

Establishes the task force on pandemic learning loss in New York state to assess the impact of remote learning on children's progress in various disciplines; requires a report; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new criminal offense called "vehicular homicide" for drivers who cause another person's death through reckless conduct showing extreme disregard for human life. It directly affects drivers whose actions - like severe speeding or ignoring traffic signals - result in fatalities, even if they didn’t intend to cause death. The law classifies vehicular homicide as a class B felony, the same penalty as second-degree murder in New York, making it a serious criminal charge. This change would replace or add to existing laws for deaths caused by negligent or reckless driving.