Sen. Siela Bynoe

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific section of State Route 102 in Uniondale, Nassau County, to honor Jomani "Jo-Jo" Wright. The legislation requires the Transportation Commissioner to install signs identifying the highway as "Highway Dedicated to Jomani 'Jo-Jo' Wright" while keeping the official route name unchanged. The dedication is explicitly described as ceremonial, ensuring no disruption to commerce or official naming conventions. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New York State Park Police as an independent law enforcement agency under the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner. It ensures the park police operate separately from the New York State Police while allowing coordination on training, emergencies, and other shared concerns. The bill formalizes this structure by amending existing law to create the agency and define its operational independence.

Expands the geographic area of employment of state university police officers; centralizes the state university police by appointing a commissioner of state university police; provides for the hiring of state university police officers.

Requires every city or county social services district to provide a wearable or mobile phone-based panic button to each employee whose job responsibilities necessitate direct interaction with clients in a client's home.

Relates to the statute of limitations for certain deed theft actions; revives such actions otherwise barred by the existing statute of limitations and states who may bring such actions; grants trial preference to such actions; directs the chief administrator of the courts to promulgate rules for the timely adjudication of certain revived actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases short-term disability and family leave benefits for eligible New York workers. It phases in higher weekly benefit rates (from 50% to 67% of average weekly wage) and extends maximum benefit periods (from 8-10 weeks to 12 weeks) over time, starting in 2018. These changes apply to employees taking leave for disability or qualifying family care needs under New York's workers' compensation law. The bill requires employers to maintain health benefits during leave and prohibits retaliation for taking leave. The superintendent of financial services may delay benefit increases if needed to maintain program stability.

Establishes an optional twenty-five year retirement plan for certain public safety dispatchers, public safety telecommunicators, 911 operators, communications officers, police communication technicians, emergency services operators and emergency services dispatchers employed by the state, or a county or municipal emergency services department.

Maddy summaryThis bill grants the Department of Environmental Conservation the authority to create and enforce management rules for Atlantic bonito and false albacore fisheries. It allows the department to set regulations on fishing seasons, size limits, catch restrictions, gear requirements, and other fishing practices until December 31, 2029. These rules must align with existing state laws and comply with federal and regional fishery management plans. The legislation affects commercial and recreational fishermen targeting these species and gives the department flexibility to adjust management measures as needed.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state and local parks to test their drinking water for lead contamination at least once every three years. If lead levels are found to be unsafe, park managers must provide free safe water, shut down affected outlets, post warnings, and share results online. The law also mandates that officials publish a biennial report on these findings and exempts New York City parks if they already have a testing program.

Creates a program to award state financial aid for social work services to be provided in libraries located in economically disadvantaged communities to enhance and expand access to services in places where individuals seek assistance and resources.