Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick

Maddy summaryS 16, "Jacobe's Law," requires school staff to contact parents or guardians when bullying or harassment is confirmed involving a student. School counselors, principals, or other designated staff must first discuss with the student whether contacting parents would raise health, safety, or privacy concerns before making reasonable efforts to notify them via phone, email, or mail. The law also protects individuals who report bullying or harassment in good faith from retaliation or legal liability. This affects students involved in such incidents, their parents/guardians, and school staff responsible for handling reports.

Maddy summaryBill S 48 proposes an amendment to the state constitution regarding the passage of budget bills. Currently, the Governor or acting Governor can certify the need for an immediate vote on a bill, which waives the standard three-day review period for it to be on legislators' desks. This bill would prohibit the Governor from calling such an immediate vote specifically for budget bills or appropriation bills. This change would ensure that all budget-related legislation must be available to legislators in its final form for at least three calendar legislative days before a final vote can occur.

Establishes a digital legal mail program for the delivery of privileged correspondences to incarcerated individuals housed at correctional facilities; requires law offices sending legal mail via digital platforms to incarcerated individuals to register with the department of corrections.

Establishes a civil remedy for the protection of animals denied proper care by creating a special proceeding in the supreme court that will hold owners and caretakers liable if such animals under their care are mistreated.

Enacts the "dismantling student antisemitism act", or "DSA act"; requires mandatory sensitivity training that includes the topic of antisemitism; includes reporting requirements regarding antisemitism complaints and disciplinary processes.

Enacts "Tucker's law"; removes the provision that provides that any term of imprisonment for a violation of aggravated cruelty to animals may not exceed two years.

Requires that the state fund any program which imposes a mandate upon municipal corporations or school districts; establishes criteria for any exemption from such law if such mandate is ordered by the judiciary, pursuant to an executive order or requested by the locality; establishes the New York state mandate review council.

Maddy summaryS 3639, "Nick's Law," increases penalties for drivers who flee the scene of an accident resulting in death. It upgrades the offense to a class B felony (with fines of $2,000-$30,000) instead of a lower misdemeanor, directly affecting drivers who leave such accidents without reporting. The bill also adjusts court procedures for adolescent offenders charged with this specific hit-and-run, requiring additional factors to be considered before transferring cases to family court. These changes aim to strengthen accountability for leaving death-related accident scenes.

Maddy summaryS 1664 provides officers from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) with access to live scan fingerprinting systems. This change allows SPCA officers to independently complete arrests by taking fingerprints using this technology. The bill directly affects SPCA officers and individuals they arrest, enabling these officers to process arrests without needing assistance from other law enforcement agencies for fingerprinting.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases monthly personal needs allowances for residents in specific care facilities. It raises the amount from $55 to $140 per month for residents of residential health care facilities (like nursing homes), and from $35 to $89 per month for residents of developmental disability or mental health facilities. Veterans with reduced VA pensions in nursing homes will receive allowances matching their pension amount (capped at $196/month). These changes apply to individuals eligible for federal Supplemental Security Income or state payments, effective January 2027.