Sen. Peter Oberacker

Maddy summaryThis bill makes personnel records for police officers, firefighters, correction officers, and probation officers confidential by default. It prohibits public access to these records (used for performance reviews or promotions) without the officer's written consent, except under strict court orders. Judges must review requests for access, require a clear factual showing, and allow affected officers to be heard before granting access. The law explicitly allows prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, and courts to access records for official duties without consent.

Extends tuition free course benefits to volunteer firefighters or voluntary ambulance workers; authorizes the board of trustees of the state university to regulate the conferral of such benefits.

Establishes the crime of doxing a police officer, peace officer, or state officer when a person knowingly makes restricted personal information about a police officer, peace officer, state officer, or a member of the immediate family of such officer, publicly available with the intent to threaten, intimidate, or incite the commission of a crime of violence against the police officer, peace officer, state officer, or a member of the immediate family of such officer; or with the intent and knowledge that the restricted personal information will be used to threaten, intimidate, or facilitate the commission of a crime of violence against the police officer, peace officer, state officer, or a member of the immediate family of such officer; requires the posting of bail.

Increases the penalties for certain crimes involving tampering with a witness or intimidating a victim or witness; increases the penalty for tampering with a witness in the third degree and intimidating a victim or witness in the third degree to class D felonies; increases the penalty for tampering with a witness in the second degree and intimidating a victim or witness in the second degree to class C felonies.

Enacts the "ratepayer transparency act" which requires bills utilized by public and private gas corporations, electric corporations and gas and electric corporations in levying charges for service to include separate categories for certain charges.

Amends the definitions of diagnostic pharmaceuticals, topical therapeutic pharmaceutical agents, and therapeutic pharmaceutical agents for treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension as they relate to the certification to use therapeutic drugs in the practice of optometry.

Provides that the display of symbols of Nazi Germany in a public location in a manner that is likely to cause another person to feel harassed, annoyed, threatened or alarmed, or to incite violence, shall be aggravated harassment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a "YMCA member" distinctive license plate for New York residents who are YMCA members. To obtain the plate, applicants must provide proof of YMCA membership and pay a $25 annual fee in addition to standard registration costs. The $25 fee is deposited directly into the New York State YMCA Foundation Fund, which supports YMCA programs and services across the state. The bill establishes this fund in state law and outlines how the money will be managed and spent, with no impact on existing license plate fees or state budgets.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires grocery stores offering digital coupons to automatically apply those coupons at checkout for two groups: seniors (65+) and customers enrolled in loyalty or rewards programs. It mandates that stores apply any digital coupon already valid for a specific product being purchased, without needing customers to manually redeem them. The law covers digital coupons distributed via store websites or apps, including those tied to loyalty programs. This policy directly affects grocery stores that use digital coupon systems, ensuring automatic savings for eligible shoppers during checkout.

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.