Requires the development of guidelines and procedures by the office of mental health to help avert retraumatization of victims of sexual offenses in a behavioral health outpatient setting.
Sen. Kristen Gonzalez
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a tax on sugary drinks based on their sugar content per 12-ounce serving. Distributors (like manufacturers and wholesalers) pay the tax, which is added to the retail price: no tax for drinks with ≤7.5g sugar/12oz, $0.01 per ounce for 7.5-30g, and $0.02 per ounce for ≥30g. Revenue from this tax funds a "community health equity fund" as specified in the bill's abstract. The tax applies to most nonalcoholic beverages containing added sugars, excluding medical drinks, milk, natural fruit/vegetable juices, and water.
Maddy summarySenate Bill 7691, the Artificial Intelligence Literacy Act, aims to enhance understanding of artificial intelligence across the state. It establishes a competitive grant program to provide funding to public elementary and secondary schools, community colleges, institutions of higher education, and community organizations. These grants will support initiatives designed to educate individuals on the basic principles, applications, implications, limitations, and ethical considerations of AI. The program prioritizes applicants that demonstrate a high level of need, such as those with limited access to computer science education or from low-income households, to foster digital equity.
Requires school districts and charter schools to establish a task force to make recommendations on model curriculum or instruction on the political, economic, and social contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual people, in an appropriate place in the curriculum of middle school and high school students.
Maddy summaryBill S 358 aims to expand eligibility for personal and home care services funded by Medicaid. It removes specific functional assessment criteria, which currently require individuals to need assistance with a certain number of daily living activities to qualify. This includes removing particular requirements for those with dementia or Alzheimer's diagnoses. The bill directly affects individuals seeking to receive in-home care services through the Medicaid program by making it easier to meet eligibility standards.
Establishes an LGBTQ+ youth and young adult suicide prevention task force; provides for the number of members, manner of appointment and the topics to be reviewed.
Increases fees for the registration of larger, heavier motor vehicles; provides a waiver for a portion of weight added by batteries in electric vehicles.
Maddy summaryThis bill, S 7282 ("No Slavery in New York Act"), prohibits involuntary servitude and forced labor for all incarcerated individuals in New York State correctional facilities, including those convicted of crimes. It amends the Civil Rights Law to explicitly ban slavery, involuntary servitude, and forced labor in the state, and adds a new provision to the Correction Law banning any labor compelled by force, adverse actions, or threats. The law takes effect immediately and directly affects all people incarcerated in state and local correctional facilities across New York.
Prohibits the use of aversive conditioning which includes any procedure which causes obvious signs of physical pain, including but not limited to hitting, pinching and electric shock; prohibits the use of any procedure or punishment which denies a vulnerable person reasonable sleep, shelter, bedding, bathroom facilities and any other aspect expected of a humane existence; defines terms.
Establishes the "New York public banking act"; authorizes municipal and other local governments to form and control public banks through the ownership of capital stock or other ownership interests, and to loan or grant public funds or lend public credit to such public banks for the public purposes of achieving cost savings, strengthening local economies, supporting community economic development, and addressing infrastructure and housing needs for localities.