Enacts the "Big Five African Trophies Act" relating to banning the importation, transportation and possession of certain African wildlife species and products.
Establishes a civil remedy for the protection of animals denied proper care by creating a special proceeding in the supreme court that will hold owners and caretakers liable if such animals under their care are mistreated.
Establishes the "tenant opportunity to purchase act"; prevents the displacement of middle and lower-income tenants in New York; preserves affordable housing by providing an opportunity for tenants to own or remain renters in the properties in which they reside.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates the laws governing wrongful death lawsuits in the state to clarify which types of financial compensation families can receive when a loved one dies due to someone else's actions. It explicitly allows juries to award damages for specific losses, including funeral costs, medical bills incurred before death, emotional grief, and the loss of financial support, guidance, and companionship. The legislation also defines exactly who is eligible to receive these funds, such as spouses, domestic partners, children, and individuals who acted as parents to the deceased, while establishing a legal process to divide the money fairly among them based on their specific relationship to the decedent. Additionally, the bill adjusts the time limit for filing these lawsuits to three years generally, with a shorter deadline for cases related to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates New York's laws around imitation firearms. It defines "imitation weapons" to include air rifles, pellet guns, and "B-B" guns made of common materials, clarifying that these are not actual firearms. The law raises the minimum age for buying paint pellet guns or air guns from 16 to 18 and requires gun industry members to implement safety measures preventing illegal sales to minors, prohibited individuals, or those at risk of harm. It also imposes a $1,000 civil penalty for violations.
Establishes the "tenant opportunity to purchase act"; prevents the displacement of middle and lower-income tenants in New York and preserves affordable housing by providing an opportunity for tenants to own or remain renters in the properties in which they reside.
Requires colleges, universities, professional, proprietary and graduate schools to provide written notice to all students of the institution's tuition liability policy.
Maddy summaryBill S 557 designates the month of May as "Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month." This bill amends the executive law to establish a new section for months of commemoration, clarifying that such months are for recognition and special honor rather than holidays.
Expands the eligibility period for indigent legal service attorneys to receive certain loan forgiveness; increases loan reimbursement for certain attorneys who work in legal services with indigent clients.
Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies the legal definition of "coal tar" used in pavement products under environmental law. It specifies that coal tar includes any thick, black substance derived from coal distillation containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) above 1,000 milligrams per kilogram. The change directly affects pavement manufacturers and environmental regulators by establishing a clear standard for measuring PAH levels in products, ensuring consistency with existing environmental rules. The bill does not create new restrictions but refines how coal tar is identified for regulatory enforcement.
