Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution requests Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 28, 2025, as Rare Disease Day in New York State. It aims to raise public awareness of rare diseases, which affect approximately 1 in 10 New Yorkers, and aligns with the national observance of Rare Disease Day to highlight ongoing efforts in diagnosis, research, and treatment support. The resolution does not create new laws but serves as a symbolic gesture to encourage broader recognition of these conditions.

Maddy summaryThis resolution requests Governor Hochul to officially designate April 30, 2025, as "Denim Day" in New York State. It supports an annual awareness event established to combat sexual violence and challenge victim-blaming attitudes - originating from a 1999 Italian court case where a rape victim was blamed for wearing tight jeans. The resolution highlights statistics on sexual violence affecting women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws but formally recognizes a community awareness initiative.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (J 142) asks Governor Hochul to officially designate May 11-17, 2025, as Police Week in New York State, aligning with National Police Week. It does not create new laws or policies but formally honors law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. The resolution highlights the sacrifice of over 20,000 U.S. officers since 1791 and seeks to raise public awareness about officer safety. It directly affects the Governor (as the recipient of the request) and New York residents, who would observe the designated week. The resolution is purely ceremonial and does not impose any legal requirements.

Amends provisions about sex offenses and consent involving members of the clergy or other ministers of any religion or duly accredited Christian science practitioners.

Allows voters to take photographs of themselves and their ballot, or absentee ballot, while in a privacy booth, and to share and disseminate such photographs on social media.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1845) removes a requirement that certain records related to attorney misconduct or discipline be kept sealed. It changes the law so that when misconduct charges are proven, those records automatically become public records, rather than remaining private. This directly affects attorneys under disciplinary investigation and the public, who will now have access to these records. The key change is eliminating the default sealing of these documents and making them public upon a finding of sustained misconduct.

Relates to the transfer of funds into the metropolitan transportation authority aid trust account and the public transportation system operating assistance account.

Prohibits fraudulent absentee ballot drop-off boxes or receptacles by making it a felony for anyone other than the board of elections to erect, display or maintain an absentee ballot drop-off box or receptacle.

Relates to expanding the persons responsible for reporting cases of suspected child abuse to include employees, volunteers, or agents of any corporate entity having an agreement with a municipality as a tier II facility or any other shelter providing temporary housing to persons under the age of 18.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state and local government agencies from denying government contracts or procurement opportunities based on protected characteristics like race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other factors. It directly affects businesses seeking state contracts by requiring agencies to evaluate bids without discrimination against individuals or their business associates. Key provisions make it unlawful for state entities to reject bids due to a person's race, gender, disability, or other protected traits, while allowing policies to increase participation by historically underrepresented groups. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.