Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal

Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals who lost a case in the state Court of Appeals to ask the court to reconsider its ruling if a new state law has been passed that contradicts that decision. Under the new rules, eligible parties must file a motion within 90 days of the new law taking effect, after which the court will permit full written arguments and oral hearings focused solely on whether the court should change its original verdict. Additionally, the court is required to address any legal questions raised by the new statute, even if those specific issues were previously ruled as too late to be raised. This process aims to ensure that court decisions remain consistent with the most current laws enacted by the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New York State law to allow the issuance of birth certificates for individuals adopted from foreign countries, particularly when no existing birth record is available in their country of origin. It requires adoptive parents to submit specific documents, such as proof of residency, translated adoption papers, and evidence of immigrant visa status, to the state commissioner. The legislation also makes these rules retroactive, enabling people adopted before the current law took effect to apply for official birth certificates.

Limits the amount of rent increases for residential ground lease cooperative apartment buildings; establishes certain rights upon the expiration of such leases.

Directs the commissioner of social services to authorize the payment of medical assistance funds for rapid whole genome sequencing for persons under twenty-one years of age under certain medical circumstances.

Amends provisions of law governing arbitration proceedings; specifies fees and expenses with regard to employment or consumer arbitration proceedings; directs certain sanctions on a party which breaches an arbitration agreement.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's estates law to allow individuals to create legally valid wills using electronic records, such as digital documents or emails. It establishes specific rules for how these wills must be signed, witnessed, and notarized, permitting witnesses and notaries to interact with the testator through electronic presence rather than requiring them to be in the same physical room. The legislation also clarifies how to handle minor technical errors in the document and outlines the process for revoking previous wills electronically. By defining terms like "electronic presence" and setting standards for self-proving affidavits, the bill modernizes the legal framework for estate planning in the digital age.

Provides that the court shall not reduce jury awards as excessive in employment discrimination actions unless the court finds exceptional circumstances which compel the conclusion that the jury was influenced by partiality, prejudice, mistake or corruption.

Prohibits pre-payment penalties for mortgages secured by real property owned in a cooperative form of ownership where over fifty percent of the units are shareholder occupied.

Amends the constitution to delete the requirement that registration for purposes of voting be completed at least ten days before election day; provides that laws be made to adequately safeguard against deception in the exercise of the right of suffrage.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes specific restrictions on who can receive personal and home care services under Medicaid in New York. It repeals a rule that previously required individuals to need assistance with more than two daily activities or, for those with dementia, supervision with more than one daily activity to qualify. The change allows people with fewer daily living challenges to become eligible for these services if a physician determines they are cost-effective and appropriate. Additionally, the bill clarifies that individuals must be able to make their own choices about the type of care they receive or have a designated representative do so. These updates take effect immediately upon becoming law.