Sen. Pam Helming

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York school districts to purchase or lease only zero-emission school buses (electric or hydrogen-powered, with no tailpipe emissions) when buying new buses starting July 1, 2027. It also mandates that any procurement for school transportation services or infrastructure components must prioritize U.S.-made parts and assembly, with limited waivers available for cost or feasibility concerns. School districts facing financial hardship may receive up to two years to comply after a cost-benefit analysis by the education commissioner. The law applies directly to all public school districts and their contractors, aiming for full transition to zero-emission buses by 2047 or when all state vehicle fleets meet the standard.

Creates the crime of unlawful dissemination or publication of discovery material; defines the circumstances under which a person is guilty of such crime; establishes that such crime is a class E felony.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts pet food from state sales and compensating use taxes. It defines "pet food" as food prepared for domesticated animals kept near a household owner's residence. The exemption applies to both sellers and buyers of qualifying pet food products. This change removes a tax burden on pet food purchases without altering other tax categories.

Creates a statewide central register of elder abuse and maltreatment reports and the elder justice coordinating council; mandates reporting by certain persons; facilitates interagency planning and reviews specific agency initiatives for their impact on the reporting and investigation of elder abuse and maltreatment in the state.

Establishes the professional practice of community midwifery; defines as the management in the home, birth center, or community setting, of normal pregnancies, child birth, and postpartum care, including newborn evaluation, resuscitation and referral for infants; sets requirements for license and practice.

Relates to providing for multi-formatted services menus for the cognitively impaired on websites operated by certain state agencies; includes the department of health, office for people with developmental disabilities and the office of mental health.

Grants free access to state parks for firefighters upon showing a sufficient method of identification, as designated by the office of parks, recreation and historic preservation or other state agency having jurisdiction.

Establishes the canine officer health monitoring fund which allows for applicants to request reimbursement from the division of criminal justice services for health costs related to regular health or injury associated with canine officers.

Prohibits the establishment or enforcement of regulations on the percentage of zero-emission vehicles in manufacturers' sales fleets of medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles until the availability of charging infrastructure, and the cost and availability of zero-emission medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles makes the sale of such vehicles more practicable.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 392) amends New York's penal law to specifically include "intentional expectoration of saliva" as a form of aggravated harassment against facility employees. It directly affects incarcerated individuals who intentionally spit at staff members in correctional facilities, parole offices, mental health facilities, or probation departments. The key change adds saliva to the list of prohibited substances (along with blood, urine, etc.) that can constitute harassment when thrown, tossed, or expelled toward employees. This expands existing protections for staff by clarifying that spitting is now explicitly covered under the aggravated harassment statute.