Sen. George Borrello

Maddy summaryS 1413 creates two new criminal offenses: "harassment of a law enforcement officer or family member in the first degree" (a felony) and "in the second degree" (a misdemeanor). First-degree harassment covers threatening communications (via phone, email, or other means) intended to cause fear for an officer's or family member's safety or property. Second-degree harassment includes physical contact, following in public, or repeated conduct that alarms officers or their families. The law directly affects anyone who targets law enforcement officers or their household members with these specific actions, with penalties ranging from a misdemeanor to a felony.

Establishes a first permanent payroll employee tax credit which allows a business to receive a tax credit for the three years following the employment of such business' first permanent payroll employee where such credit equals a portion of the amount it costs to employ such permanent payroll employee.

Requires enhanced federal medical assistance percentage funds be directly shared with the counties and the city of New York; requires the comptroller examine and audit all funds received from the enhanced federal medical assistance percentage and the distributions made to counties and the city of New York.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public school districts in the state to incorporate age-appropriate curriculum about Italian history and civic contributions into their education programs. The state education commissioner must develop this curriculum, covering topics like Italian immigration to the U.S., the Italian community's impact on American government and culture, and historical challenges faced by Italian Americans. School boards must provide teacher training and materials, allowing schools to integrate this content into existing history or social studies courses. It directly affects every public school district and its students through mandated curriculum changes. The law takes effect July 1st following enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3588) formally dedicates a specific segment of State Route 60 - between Shumla Road and Lakeview Road in Pomfret, Chautauqua County - to Emmaline Wilcox. It requires the state transportation commissioner to install ceremonial signage stating "Highway Dedicated to Emmaline Wilcox" but explicitly clarifies this is a non-binding commemoration with no change to the highway’s official name. The dedication affects no policy, regulations, or commerce, serving solely as a tribute. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Authorizes a county, city, town or village to override a governor's declaration of a state disaster emergency in all or part of the territorial limits of such local government.

Prohibits qualified immunity for public officials; authorizes attorney general enforcement; provides that statutory immunities and statutory limitations on liability, damages or attorney fees do not apply to such claims.

Requires sellers of catalytic converters to provide certain information to potential buyers; requires buyers to maintain records of such purchases; makes any violations a class A misdemeanor; imposes a fine of up to $5,000

Deems home instruction which is compliant with the provisions of article 65 of the education law and the home instruction requirements prescribed in the commissioner of education's regulations to be substantially equivalent in amount and quality to the instruction given to students of like age and attainments at the public schools of the city or district where the student resides.

Authorizes electronic court appearances for criminal matters, excluding jury trials, in all counties in the state; authorizes electronic appearances for criminal matters where the court determines a personal appearance would be impractical, unsafe or excessively burdensome; authorizes sentencing to a period of incarceration to be conducted via electronic appearance for defendants who are already incarcerated.