Sen. Chris Ryan

Relates to procedures relating to driving while ability impaired by drugs; defines impairment and intoxication; updates procedures for field testing of drivers suspected of being under the influence of drugs to include the use of oral/bodily fluid tests; provides that refusal to submit to such field tests is specified to be a traffic infraction; makes related provisions.

Prohibits the retail sale of spices that exceed lead level limits; defines spices and types of spices; establishes acceptable lead limits for various types of spices.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's criminal procedure law to exclude certain adolescent offenders from being transferred to family court. Specifically, it exempts minors who displayed a shotgun, rifle, or deadly weapon during their offense, or who were illegally in possession of a loaded firearm, from the category of offenders eligible for family court jurisdiction. The change means these individuals would instead face prosecution in adult criminal court rather than juvenile family court. The law directly affects adolescent defendants charged with offenses involving firearms, altering the criteria for court placement. This policy change takes effect on November 1st following enactment.

Relates to owner liability for failure of operators to comply with toll collection regulations; requires public authorities to send a notice to owners upon incurring an obligation to pay a toll; provides for the adjudication of such liability and defenses to an allegation of liability; repeals certain provisions of law relating thereto.

Maddy summaryS 4898 updates New York's civil service law to classify members of the state militia holding appointed or employed positions as "public employees." This directly affects those militia members, bringing them under standard civil service protections and procedures previously excluded from the definition. The key change amends the legal definition in the civil service law to include militia roles, removing a prior exclusion. This ensures these personnel are treated like other public employees under relevant state laws, though they remain excluded from specific provisions in sections 210 and 211 of the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 3144, expands the required service area for accessible paratransit transportation. It mandates that accessible buses be available within a service area measuring three miles from any bus line operated by a transportation authority or its subsidiaries. This provision applies to both existing requirements for a percentage of accessible buses and the mandate for 100% accessible fixed-route buses, aiming to ensure broader geographical access for transportation-disabled persons, including those in wheelchairs.

Establishes the crimes of aggravated threat of mass harm in the first degree and aggravated threat of mass harm in the second degree; makes such crimes hate crimes.

Provides that in the event child protective services receives a duplicate report on an open case that has not been founded, indicated or referred to services, such duplicate report shall merge with the open case and remain open an additional thirty days for further investigation.

Allows a licensed psychologist to apply to the department of education for conditional prescribing certification if the psychologist meets certain requirements; allows the department of education to waive certain requirements for an applying psychologist; provides that a conditional prescribing certification shall be valid for a period of two years.

Relates to small business energy assistance and advocacy services; establishes the small business energy assistance and advocacy services program within the division for small-business; authorizes the division for small-business to initiate complaints to the public service commission regarding gas and electricity and steam heat.