Sen. Kristen Gonzalez

Relates to the regulation of street vendors in cities with a population of one million or more by authorizing such cities to adopt a program to regulate street vendors; requires street vendors to obtain a permit; provides for penalties for failure to comply with such regulations.

Maddy summaryBill S 8130 authorizes the reissuance of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and public assistance benefits when they are stolen due to fraud, such as card skimming. It directs social services districts to establish a reporting protocol and promptly replace stolen benefits, generally within five business days of verification. The replacement amount is capped at the lesser of the stolen amount or two months of the household's allotment, with limits on how often benefits can be replaced annually. For SNAP benefits stolen after December 20, 2024, the bill also allows for emergency cash grants as replacement assistance.

Establishes a five-year window for any entity participating in the New York state supportive housing program (NYSSHP) in good standing with such program to participate in a request for proposal to increase their contract rates up to ESSHI levels.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits discrimination based on caste in employment, housing, and public accommodations. It adds "caste" to New York's existing anti-discrimination protections, defining caste as a hereditary social hierarchy that restricts mobility and rights. The law makes it unlawful for employers, housing providers, or public accommodations to deny services or opportunities based on caste, alongside other protected characteristics like race or gender. This directly affects individuals from communities where caste-based discrimination occurs, such as certain South Asian diaspora groups, by extending legal safeguards to these specific circumstances.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits landlords, lessors, sub-lessors, and grantors from requiring tenants to pay broker fees as part of the rental process. It directly affects residential tenants by eliminating a common cost added to rent applications or lease signings. The law allows landlords to still charge for background checks and credit checks but bans all other fees like broker commissions before or at the start of a tenancy. Exceptions apply to specific housing types, including retirement communities, assisted living facilities, and certain cooperative housing arrangements. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Enacts the "forensic rehabilitation act" relating to the custody of individuals following a verdict or plea of not responsible by reason of mental disease or defect.

Maddy summaryThis New York bill prohibits openly carrying a rifle or shotgun in a visible manner on public property. It defines "openly carries" as carrying the firearm in a way that makes it visible to others. The law includes 15 specific exemptions, such as for hunters with permits, law enforcement officers, military personnel on duty, individuals on private property with permission, and those participating in historical reenactments or biathlon events. These exemptions allow open carry under defined circumstances while banning it for the general public in most public settings.

Establishes the homeless protection act which designates certain offenses against homeless persons as hate crimes; includes the definition of homelessness.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 5249) automatically grants Medicaid eligibility to workers participating in strikes or labor disputes, ensuring they maintain health coverage during the strike period. It directly affects striking employees who would otherwise lose Medicaid due to employment status, without requiring them to reapply. Key provisions include limiting coverage strictly to the duration of the strike, prohibiting the consideration of personal resources (like savings) when determining eligibility, and allowing temporary "presumptive eligibility" through health department processes. The bill requires the Health Commissioner to create implementing regulations for eligibility rules and covered services.

Maddy summarySenate Bill S 7954 amends the requirements for organizations providing fiscal intermediary services in the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program. It expands the definition of "fiscal intermediary" to include more entities, such as certain service centers for independent living, granting them equal status to the statewide fiscal intermediary. These newly defined fiscal intermediaries can contract directly with managed care plans and must provide culturally and linguistically competent services. The bill also removes the specific procurement process for a single statewide fiscal intermediary, aiming to offer consumers more choice in these services.