Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal

Maddy summaryS 8195 (now Chapter 564) expands the use of sworn affirmations in New York civil court cases. It allows affirmations (statements signed under penalty of perjury) to replace affidavits, certificates, responses to discovery, and other sworn documents in most civil actions, making it easier for individuals to submit evidence without a notary. The law directly affects anyone involved in civil lawsuits in New York courts, including plaintiffs, defendants, and witnesses. It explicitly excludes requirements under domestic relations law for matrimonial agreements, which must still be acknowledged as deeds. The bill took effect immediately upon the governor's signature on November 21, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises how trustees of charitable trusts (like those for public, religious, or educational purposes) calculate and receive annual commissions. It specifies that commissions must be paid 1/3 from trust income and 2/3 from trust principal, with exceptions for certain trusts governed by federal tax rules. For charitable trusts exceeding $20 million in value, commissions are limited to 50% of the standard rate, and trustees may no longer earn commissions for paying out principal. The law applies to all existing charitable trusts as of its effective date, though trustees can choose to follow the previous rules until the end of the year it takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 8196) establishes specialized "youth parts" in each county's superior court to handle cases involving juvenile and adolescent offenders. It expands eligibility for judges presiding over these youth parts beyond family court judges to include qualified superior court judges with specific training in juvenile justice and adolescent development. All judges in these youth parts must complete mandated training on topics like adolescent behavior, effective treatment methods, and custody. The youth parts will have exclusive jurisdiction over these cases, except where other laws provide exceptions.

Authorizes a licensed pharmacist to administer any recommendations made by the commissioner of health pertaining to a vaccine that has been authorized by the federal Food and Drug Administration; relates to insurance coverage for immunizations; removes the requirement to follow the advisory committee on immunization practices of the centers for disease control and prevention recommendation for immunization against meningococcal disease.

Prohibits discrimination against and harassment or bullying of students by other students on school property or at a school function; requires schools to investigate reports of bullying; requires schools to adopt a written, plain-language anti-bullying and harassment policy; requires school employees to report incidents of bullying or harassment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most health insurance plans to cover contraceptive services provided by pharmacists without cost-sharing. It mandates coverage for all FDA-approved contraceptives (including over-the-counter options), emergency contraception, patient counseling, and follow-up care like device insertion/removal. Plans must allow dispensing up to 12 months of contraceptives at once and reimburse pharmacists the same rate as other healthcare providers. The law applies to group/blanket health insurance policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, directly affecting insured individuals and pharmacists providing these services.

Prohibits a person or entity from knowingly or with reckless disregard facilitate an agreement between or among two or more residential rental property owners or managers to not compete with respect to residential rental dwelling units, including by operating or licensing a software, data analytics service, or algorithmic device that performs a coordinating function on behalf of or between and among such residential rental property owners or managers.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases maximum fines for corporations convicted of crimes under New York's criminal law. It raises the top fine for felony convictions from $10,000 to $80,000 and for certain serious misdemeanors from $5,000 to $40,000. For offenses where fines are based on corporate gain, the maximum now triples that gain amount. Signed into law in October 2025, it directly affects corporations found guilty of criminal offenses in New York.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1224) prevents school-based health center services from being delivered to medical assistance recipients (like Medicaid beneficiaries) through private managed care insurance plans. It amends state law to require these services to continue being provided directly outside of managed care programs. The key change ensures that students receiving medical assistance can access school health services through traditional public health channels, not through private insurance networks. The bill was passed by the legislature in June 2025 but was vetoed by the governor on October 16, 2025, so it did not become law.

Maddy summaryS 5546 defines "consumer debt" as any obligation for personal, family, or household expenses (including medical debt), replacing the older term "consumer credit transaction" in New York law. It clarifies that consumer debt excludes real property-secured debts or cases seeking property possession. Key provisions require Spanish/English notices in court documents for these cases, set a strict 3-year deadline to file lawsuits, and update venue rules for consumer debt cases. The bill directly affects consumers, debt collectors, and courts handling personal financial disputes in New York. It makes no new financial obligations but standardizes terminology and procedures for these legal actions.