Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal

Relates to the right to unemployment benefits based on employment with certain educational institutions, including the state university of New York, the city university of New York and public community colleges; clarifies the meaning of certain terms relating to such rights to unemployment benefits.

Relates to the establishment of a state university-based center for employee ownership that provides education and outreach to business owners regarding employee ownership.

Prohibits the use of the term "excited delirium" as a diagnosis, label, or cause of death on death certificates, autopsy reports, police reports or any report, policy or procedure by a public agency or contractor; defines excited delirium.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers of domestic workers to provide paid sick leave, directly affecting household workers like nannies, caregivers, and housekeepers. It mandates that employers with 5-99 workers (including those hiring domestic workers) provide 40 hours of paid sick leave annually per employee, while larger employers (100+ workers) must offer 56 hours. Small employers (4 or fewer workers) must provide 40 hours of *unpaid* sick leave unless they earned over $1 million in the previous year, in which case it becomes paid. The law applies to all domestic workers as defined by existing labor law, with no exemption for household employers.

Prohibits state reimbursement of campaign and political committees, or legal defense funds, for payments made on behalf of the criminal or civil defense of a state employee.

Maddy summaryBill S 1454 requires local social services districts to set shelter allowances based on a recipient's actual rent obligation. These allowances would be capped at up to 100% of the current fair market rent, as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, for the corresponding unit size in that district. This change directly affects individuals receiving shelter allowances and the local social services districts responsible for administering them.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 527) changes rules for charter schools in New York by restricting how they can expand grade levels. Starting June 1, 2025, charter schools cannot apply to revise their charters to serve grades across multiple school classifications (like elementary, middle, or high school) simultaneously. The rule applies to all new charter revisions submitted after that date. It directly affects charter schools seeking to expand their grade offerings, requiring them to stay within a single classification (e.g., only elementary or only high school). The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryS 363, the "New York junk fee prevention act," requires businesses selling goods or services in New York to clearly disclose the total price - including all mandatory fees - before a purchase. It defines "mandatory fees" as unexpected charges consumers can't reasonably avoid (like default add-ons), excluding taxes, delivery costs based on consumer choice, or certain financial fees. Businesses must display total prices prominently in ads and at checkout, avoiding misleading fine print. Violations can trigger penalties up to $1,000 per intentional violation, with enforcement by the attorney general or affected consumers. The law exempts businesses already complying with federal broadband or cable disclosure rules, and certain financial service disclosures.

Establishes through the department of health a drug checking services program to allow individuals to bring drugs or controlled substances and have them tested for contaminants, toxic substances, or hazardous compounds; requires the department to establish public health surveillance of the unregulated drug supply; provides exemptions for participants in the drug checking program from certain controlled substance offenses.

Relates to fair pricing for low-complexity, routine medical care to more closely align payment rates across ambulatory settings for selected services that are safe and appropriate to provide in all settings.