Sen. Steve Rhoads

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (J 106) asks Governor Hochul to officially designate May 12-18, 2025, as "Period Poverty Awareness Week" in New York. It aims to highlight that one in four women and girls struggle to afford menstrual products, leading to missed school or work, and emphasizes period products as essential health necessities. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but seeks to raise public awareness about period poverty as a public health issue.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (not a law) expressing congratulations to the Brooklyn Technical High School Football Team for winning the 2024-25 NYC PSAL 3A Championship on November 29, 2024. It formally recognizes the team's victory over Fort Hamilton Tigers, their 10-1 season record, and their coaches and managers. The resolution has no policy impact - it serves solely to honor the team's achievement through a formal legislative expression of support. It directly affects the players, coaches (Brian Pugh and Kyle Council), and managers named in the resolution.

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.

Relates to prevailing wage requirements applicable to brownfield remediation work performed under private contract as it relates to certain remediation activities, for sites that are seeking or have received a determination that the site is eligible for the tangible property credit component of the brownfield redevelopment tax credit, and the work is paid for in whole or in part by public funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New York State's crime victims' rights by requiring district attorneys and courts to provide victims with a standardized informational pamphlet detailing their legal protections. The pamphlet must cover specific rights, including compensation, notification of court proceedings, protection from intimidation, the ability to submit impact statements, and access to restitution and parole information. To ensure accountability, the law mandates that district attorneys annually report their compliance with these distribution requirements to the Office of Victim Services. Ultimately, the legislation aims to improve victim awareness and access to resources throughout the criminal justice process.

Expands the food donation and food scraps recycling program by scaling down the annual average tonnage requirement every two years until 2028; removes exceptions regarding recycler capacity.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to how courts set bail for criminal defendants, specifically requiring judges to individually assess whether a person poses a current physical threat to victims, individuals, or the community. Under the new rules, judges must also evaluate the risk of flight and choose a securing order that balances the defendant's return to court with public safety, while explaining their decision in writing or on the record. The legislation directs courts to consider all available information about the defendant when making these determinations. Although the bill was reintroduced in late 2024, it was previously defeated in the Codes Committee in May 2024.

Enacts the "New York wildlife crossing act"; directs the department of transportation and the New York state thruway authority to identify sites along all highways, thruways and parkways in the state where wildlife crossings are most needed to increase public safety and improve habitat connectivity and create a priority list of wildlife opportunity areas where federal grant monies may be available to implement the top five projects identified.