Sen. Steve Rhoads

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state agencies from requiring or administering COVID-19 vaccines without specific legislative authorization. It directly affects students, workers, residents of group homes, and adults unable to make health decisions by banning mandatory vaccination in schools, workplaces, travel, public services, and group living facilities. Key provisions require parental consent for minors, guardian consent for incapacitated adults, and ban all evidence-of-vaccination requirements unless mandated by law. The bill also mandates healthcare providers to disclose vaccine ingredients and side effects before administration.

Establishes a distinctive plate honoring recipients of the Girl Scout Gold Award for which the regular registration fee will apply plus an initial one time service charge of $25.

Requires nursing homes and assisted living facilities to provide and maintain automated external defibrillators in quantities and types deemed by the commissioner to be adequate to ensure ready and appropriate access for use during emergencies.

Includes land used for processing or retail merchandising of agricultural products within the real property tax exemption for land used in agricultural production.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a mandatory battery storage fire training program for firefighters across counties, cities, towns, villages, and fire districts. It requires individuals seeking permanent, temporary, or probationary firefighter appointments to complete this specialized training in addition to existing basic fire training. The State Fire Administrator is tasked with developing regulations for these programs, including curriculum, instructor qualifications, and certification processes for both the programs and the firefighters.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the penalty for first-degree rape from a class B felony to a more serious class A-II felony under New York's penal law. It does not alter the definition of the crime itself, which remains based on factors like forcible compulsion, victim incapacity, or age. The change directly affects individuals convicted of first-degree rape, resulting in a higher potential prison sentence. The bill's sole modification is the reclassification of the felony level, with no other provisions or changes to the offense.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows workers to file or reopen workers' compensation claims for disability caused by a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis if those claims were previously denied or missed filing deadlines due to time limits. It permits claims to be filed within one year of the law's effective date and requires the workers' compensation board to reconsider and re-determine previously denied claims for COVID-19 disability. The law takes effect immediately but expires after two years. It directly affects workers who missed filing windows or had claims rejected under prior time-related rules.

Maddy summaryS 241 excludes costs for school resource officers (SROs) employed by a municipality but assigned to a school district from tax levy limits that restrict annual tax increases. This means school districts can cover these security personnel expenses without triggering the usual requirement for voter approval to raise taxes above the limit. The exemption applies only when the district complies with specific requirements under real property tax law. The bill directly affects school districts and municipalities managing school security funding.

Creates a service learning program for students serving as active volunteer firefighters or volunteer ambulance workers; mandates certain features of such program.

Requires each violator of "Buster's Law" to register the violator's name and address with the division of criminal justice services; makes the registration available to the public, law enforcement entities, district attorneys, humane societies, societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals, dog or cat protective associations, animal control officers, breeders of animals, animal rescues and pet stores.