Sen. Pat Fahy

Enacts the "Empowering People in Rights Enforcement (EMPIRE) Worker Protection Act"; relates to the delegation of state enforcement authority to private actors; authorizes an affected employee, whistleblower, representative organization or an organizational deputy to initiate a public enforcement action on behalf of the commissioner for certain provisions of the labor law, or any regulation promulgated thereunder.

Relates to providing more predictable and stable schedules for employees in low-wage occupations; provides that an employer shall pay an employee for at least 4 hours at the basic minimum hourly wage for each day an employee reports for work as instructed but is given less than four hours of work.

Prohibits insurance companies from discriminating based on genetic predisposition including refusing to issue or renew, charging any increased rate, or restricting any length of coverage; prohibits insurers from requiring genetic testing.

Requires school districts to provide instructional programming and services in reading and literacy which are evidence based and aligned with state standards; requires teachers in grades pre-K through five to attend professional development courses in reading education.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Access to Representation Act, would guarantee the right to legal counsel for certain low-income individuals facing immigration proceedings in New York. It directly affects non-citizens and citizens with disputed status who are detained or subject to removal, as well as those with a significant connection to the state. Under the proposed law, eligible individuals would receive ongoing legal representation from designated providers starting from their first court appearance or as soon as possible thereafter. The program would be administered by the New York State Office for New Americans, which would set income limits and oversee the delivery of legal services.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the State University of New York trustees to create a comprehensive plan aimed at eliminating waste across all campuses by the year 2033. The plan must involve input from faculty, staff, students, and labor groups, and it focuses on reducing single-use plastics, improving recycling and composting, and prioritizing durable materials over disposable ones. Each university campus will be required to develop its own detailed action plan within six months and must track progress using specific metrics on waste reduction and diversion. Additionally, the board of trustees will monitor implementation annually and report their findings to the state legislature and the public.

Provides that no state or local agency, or any agent thereof, may use any funds, facilities, property, equipment or personnel of such agency to investigate, enforce or provide assistance in the investigation or enforcement of any federal program requiring registration of individuals, or maintaining a database of individuals, on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, religion or national or ethnic origin.

Relates to updating school concussion management and response protocols; requires that the injured student have returned to a full class schedule without academic accommodations prior to resuming athletic activity.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that health insurance policies covering medical services must pay for home test kits used to screen for sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. It defines these kits as FDA-approved products that allow individuals to collect their own samples at home for tests recommended by federal health guidelines. The changes apply to all insurance plans issued, renewed, or modified after the law takes effect, ensuring broader access to testing outside of clinical settings.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands criminal penalties for individuals and businesses that fail to comply with state fire prevention and building code orders. It directly affects owners, tenants, contractors, architects, and other parties responsible for property maintenance or construction. Under the new provisions, willful violations or failure to fix code issues within the specified timeframe can result in misdemeanor charges, including daily fines and potential jail time. The bill also establishes a separate violation category for less severe infractions, punishable by smaller fines and shorter jail sentences. These changes aim to strengthen enforcement of safety standards across a wider range of property-related roles.