Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal

Maddy summaryThis bill requires police departments to create written policies banning the use of sustained auditory dispersal tools, such as long-range acoustic devices or sonic weapons that emit loud, sustained sounds (over 90 decibels) likely to cause hearing damage. It defines these prohibited tools as devices emitting sustained tones or non-verbal sounds at dangerous decibel levels, while excluding standard verbal communication devices used properly under 90 decibels. Violations allow affected individuals to sue for $1,000 per incident or actual damages, plus punitive damages based on factors like decibel levels and medical harm. The policy applies directly to all police agencies and their officers in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $500 state tax credit for individuals who permanently relocate to the state to provide or receive reproductive care or gender-affirming care. It applies to healthcare providers moving from states with more restrictive abortion laws or gender-affirming care access, as well as patients (or their parents/guardians) relocating for the same reasons. The credit is available for tax years beginning January 1, 2025, and can be claimed on individual income tax returns. The credit cannot reduce tax liability below zero, but any excess is refundable. The bill defines "healthcare provider" to include licensed physicians, nurses, physician assistants, and pharmacists.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new rules for state and local agencies regarding immigration-related matters. It prohibits government agencies from asking about a person's immigration status when providing public benefits or services, and bans law enforcement from stopping or detaining people based on immigration status or federal immigration detainers. The law requires confidentiality for any immigration information collected and mandates free interpreter services for non-English speakers during related inquiries. These provisions directly affect immigrants seeking public assistance, law enforcement agencies, and government offices handling benefits or services.

Maddy summaryS 176 creates a new civil legal remedy allowing individuals to sue when their constitutional or legal rights are violated by government officials or public entities acting under government authority. It directly affects anyone whose rights are deprived by such actors, including victims of police misconduct, discriminatory policies, or other state-sponsored violations. Key provisions include allowing lawsuits for damages and attorney fees (even if the case settles without a court judgment), removing common defenses like "good faith" or "unclear law," and requiring public entities to cover their employees' legal costs. The law sets a three-year deadline for filing claims and applies to both state and federal rights violations.

Maddy summaryS 4489 imposes a monthly tax on commercial data collectors that gather consumer data from more than one million New York residents each month. The tax rate increases based on the number of New York consumers affected, starting at $0 for under 1 million, then tiering up to $2.25 million plus 50 cents per consumer for collections exceeding 10 million. It directly affects large for-profit data brokers (not small businesses or those collecting only basic contact info like email or phone numbers), requiring them to pay based on their scale of New York consumer data collection. The tax applies regardless of how the data is collected (electronically or otherwise) and includes specific rules for counting consumers and handling multi-entity ownership.

Relates to the term "reportable business relationship" as it relates to certain employees of the state university of New York and the city university of New York.

Waives Unemployment Pandemic Benefits repayments in whole or in part if the payment of such pandemic unemployment assistance was without fault on the part of the claimant and such repayment would be contrary to equity and good conscience.

Maddy summaryS 6436 amends multiple state laws to replace the term "American Indian" with "Indigenous peoples" or variations in legal definitions. It directly affects existing provisions in laws related to minority business enterprise eligibility, criminal justice data collection, education testing categories, and environmental conservation contracting. The bill updates statutory language across 8 sections - including corrections data categories, economic development definitions, and cannabis law provisions - to use the more inclusive term "Indigenous peoples" instead of "American Indian." This change reflects a shift in terminology to align with contemporary usage preferred by many Indigenous communities. The bill does not alter eligibility criteria or funding levels, only the descriptive language used in these legal references.

Maddy summaryThe Hunger-Free Campus Act (S 2637) creates a grant program for public colleges and universities to address student food insecurity. To qualify, campuses must meet specific requirements, including establishing student-led hunger task forces, providing SNAP enrollment assistance, operating on-campus food pantries, and conducting annual student hunger surveys. Grants fund initiatives like meal donation programs, SNAP outreach, and awareness campaigns to support students' basic food needs. The program requires institutions to report on grant usage and outcomes to the state education commissioner, with priority given to schools with high Pell Grant enrollment.

Enacts the "fair college admissions act"; prohibits legacy admissions policies at colleges and universities in New York; declares such policies and practices to be discriminatory and inequitable.