Sen. Joe Griffo

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime called aggravated criminal concealment of identity, which applies to individuals who commit specific violent offenses while wearing a mask or face covering that hides their face or voice. The law defines a wide range of underlying crimes, including various degrees of assault, sexual offenses, burglary, robbery, and terrorism-related charges, that would trigger this new penalty if committed while disguised. If convicted, the sentencing guidelines require the crime to be treated as a violent felony, often resulting in a sentence one category higher than the original offense or a mandatory minimum prison term depending on the severity of the underlying act. This legislation directly affects law enforcement and prosecutors by adding an additional layer of punishment for perpetrators who choose to conceal their identity during serious criminal activities.

Authorizes Richard Lee Johnson to take the competitive civil service examination for the position of police officer and be placed on the eligible list for employment as a full-time police officer for the village of Canastota police department.

Relates to the use of the Madison and Oneida county correctional facilities; relates to county-tribal detention agreements between the Oneida Indian Nation and Madison county and between the Oneida Indian Nation and Oneida county.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a brewery in Utica to issue a temporary permit allowing the sale or offering of beer at two specific locations once per year. The permitted areas are defined by detailed property boundaries for two parcels near the brewery, and the beer must be provided at no cost to visitors. The law also adjusts existing Sunday operating hours to accommodate this temporary activity and exempts the brewery from certain standard regulations while the permit is active.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all general hospitals to create violence prevention programs that align with federal and accrediting organization standards. Larger hospitals in cities or counties with over one million people must have an off-duty law enforcement officer or trained security personnel present at all times in the emergency department. Smaller hospitals must also maintain security presence near the emergency department, though critical access, sole community, and rural emergency hospitals are exempt unless they experience increased violence, in which case they would be given time to comply. The law will take effect approximately 280 days after it is signed into legislation.

Allows students attending agricultural learning events to be counted as in attendance at school; defines "agricultural learning events" as including FFA events and 4-H programs.

Repeals and reenacts statute of limitation provisions on wrongful death, personal injury and property damage actions against professional engineers, architects, landscape architects, land surveyors and construction contractors to provide for a limitations period of ten years after completion of improvement to real property; "completion", which constitutes the accrual date for the limitations period, is defined; provides for a one year extension for injuries to person or property or wrongful death which occur during the tenth year after completion.

Requires out-of-state affordable housing owners to maintain an escrow account for the purpose of financing utility costs, property tax obligations, fire services, and regular maintenance costs for affordable housing rental units located in New York state.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution commemorates the 160th anniversary of The Daily Sentinel, a newspaper serving the Utica-Rome region of New York. The document acknowledges the publication's long history of local news coverage, its role in covering major historical events, and its expansion of service to multiple counties. It also highlights the paper's recent updates, including a rebranding, a shift to postal delivery, and the launch of a news app. The resolution formally pauses legislative proceedings to honor the newspaper's legacy and directs a copy of the document to be sent to the publication.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution asks Governor Kathy Hochul to officially recognize June 2024 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in New York State. The measure does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a formal acknowledgment of the community's history and achievements. It highlights key milestones such as the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots and recent legal victories for LGBTQIA+ rights. The bill is purely ceremonial and affects only the state's official calendar and public recognition of the month.