Sen. Alexis Weik

Enacts "Chelsey's law"; provides that a person commits the crime of manslaughter or aggravated manslaughter when such person knows or has reasonable grounds to know that a controlled substance is likely to cause the death of another person and sells, administers, delivers, or causes the delivery of a controlled substance to another person and such substance causes, contributes to, or aids in the death of such other person.

Requires the commissioner of general services to ensure clean, safe drinking water is available in easily accessible locations for all public employees in state office buildings.

Relates to orders of protection with respect to companion animals; provides further protection for pets by authorizing the court to order a party to either relinquish a pet or to refrain from any contact with a pet.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires drivers in New York to provide an updated signature and photo when renewing their driver's licenses. The photo must be displayed on the new license, and both elements must be submitted as part of the renewal application. It applies to all license renewals, including non-commercial driver's licenses, and replaces the previous requirement for a social security number with an affidavit option for those without one. The change aims to modernize identification verification for license holders.

Establishes a co-navigation services program for persons who are deaf-blind to provide services to a person who is deaf-blind that assist the person to physically access the person's environment and to make informed decisions, including providing visual and environmental information or sighted guide services and assisting with communication accessibility by communicating in the preferred language and communication mode of the person who is deaf-blind.

Defines the term "construction projects" to mean the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or improvement of any school building where a district receives any apportionment for debt service or building aid and the school building is sited within the Long Island region; provides that each contract involving the award of a construction project shall require the use of a project labor agreement for all contractors and subcontractors on such project.

Requires detailed fiscal impact notes on certain legislation stating the estimated annual cost to the political subdivision affected and the source of such estimate; provides that bills will be invalidated if the funding source is not provided or the fiscal impact results in an annual net additional cost in excess of $10,000.

Adds xylazine to the depressants designated as controlled substances with the exception of use in cattle or other nonhuman species if approved by the federal food and drug administration.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1417) strengthens New York's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) by making failure to comply with public record requests a criminal offense. It requires state agencies to respond to written FOIL requests within 5 business days, grant or deny requests within 30 days, and provide records within 90 days - adding specific deadlines and certification requirements for agency heads and the governor if delays occur. The law directly affects all state agencies, their leaders (like commissioners or directors), and the governor’s office when requests are not handled on time. Key provisions include mandatory written reviews by agency heads, public posting of delay certifications, and criminal penalties for willful non-compliance.

Provides for the review of unfunded mandates; provides that the comptroller shall provide a fiscal note for unfunded mandates affecting political subdivisions; directs a continuing study.