Sen. George Borrello

Maddy summaryBill S 3511 proposes to increase the maximum possible prison sentence for individuals convicted of Class A and unclassified misdemeanors. It amends the penal law to change the maximum definite sentence for these crimes from 364 days to one year. The bill also repeals a specific subdivision within the penal law related to misdemeanor sentencing. This change would allow courts to impose slightly longer jail terms for these particular offenses.

Establishes the crimes of deceptive wearing of a mask and aggravated deceptive wearing of a mask; makes such crimes a class B misdemeanor and a class A misdemeanor, respectively.

Establishes a rental assistance loan-to-grant program to assist landlords of small rental properties who have lost rental income due to the inability of the landlords' tenants to pay rent during the COVID-19 state disaster emergency; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 224) amends New York's penal law to upgrade the felony classifications for unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle (from E to D felony for third degree, D to C for second degree, and C for first degree). It also adds these specific fleeing offenses to the list of crimes subject to bail eligibility determinations under criminal procedure law. Under the changes, courts must evaluate whether a defendant charged with such fleeing offenses (third, second, or first degree) should be released on bail or held, considering factors like "harm to an identifiable person or property" as outlined in sections 510.10, 530.20, and 530.40. This affects individuals charged with these fleeing offenses during bail hearings.

Provides that a judgment of sale as a result of an action to foreclose a mortgage shall direct the mortgaged premises to be sold within forty-five days of the date of the judgment.

Lowers the required service life threshold for consolidated local street and highway improvement program capital projects from ten years to five years.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 7298) updates the legal definition of "all terrain vehicle" (ATV) in New York's Vehicle and Traffic Law. It increases the maximum allowable width from 70 inches to 80 inches and the dry weight limit from 1,000 pounds to 2,000 pounds for vehicles classified as ATVs. The change specifically applies to self-propelled vehicles designed for off-highway use, excluding snowmobiles (which are defined separately). This policy adjustment directly affects ATV manufacturers and owners by permitting larger vehicle models under the law.

Maddy summaryS 1272 requires all public school districts in the state to provide financial management instruction to students in grades four through eight. The bill mandates teaching practical skills like budgeting, saving, credit, debt, insurance, and investment to build personal financial responsibility. School districts must develop age-appropriate curricula with support from the education commissioner, who will create regulations and provide model teaching resources. This law takes effect July 1, 2025, after the commissioner finalizes implementation rules.

Requires school boards to make the final decision on whether to keep, remove, or restrict access to an instructional material in a school library; establishes a review process for formal complaints concerning instructional materials that are the subject of complaints.

Provides that when a person is convicted of two or more felony counts and at least one of which is an offense defined in article 265 of the penal law involving the possession or use of an illegal firearm, rifle or shotgun, the sentences must run consecutively.