Rep. Chris Eachus

Relates to the convening of a human services employee wage board; requires the commissioner of labor to convene a human services employee wage board comprised of twelve members; requires the wage board to hold hearings and report and make recommendations to the governor and legislature no later than December 31, 2027.

Relates to the appointment and responsibilities of the commissioners of the public service commission; requires the commission to have a duty to protect public interest, including ensuring access to utility services for residential and business customers; prohibits commissioners from having been employed within the last two years by an electric, gas, steam, telecommunications, or water utility that is regulated by the commission.

Requires the division of criminal justice to create and disseminate to police departments a video on bicycles with electric assist and electric scooters including information on classification and definitions, legal operation, speed limits and enforcement, helmet and age requirements, and a review of legal operation of such devices.

Provides access to menstrual products in toilet facilities in public buildings owned or leased by the state that are determined to be opened to the public; requires reporting.

Provides that the thruway authority shall issue permits for ambulances and fire vehicles exempting such vehicles from paying tolls on the thruway when engaged in an emergency operation.

Prohibits the use of intoxication of the victim as a defense in sex crimes where the victim is under the influence of any drug, intoxicant, or other substance to a degree which rendered the victim temporarily incapable of appraising or controlling such person's conduct and such condition was known or reasonably should have been known to a person in the actor's situation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New York State Bridge Authority to install specialized fencing on all bridges it operates. The fencing must prevent climbing by using features like welded wire mesh panels, tightly spaced wires, and spike collars. It applies to all new bridge construction contracts and mandates installation within three years of the law's effective date. The measure directly affects the Bridge Authority and its contractors, focusing solely on the physical safety requirement without broader policy changes.

Provides that transportation shall be provided to all children attending grades kindergarten through twelve who live within a fifteen mile radius of the school they legally attend; provides that such transportation may also be provided for such students to before-and/or-after-school child care locations.

Requires employers to pay employees accrued but unused vacation, paid time off, or other paid leave provided upon termination, resignation, retirement or other separation from employment.

Requires an insurance company which owns a health care provider to pay any health care provider which it does not own an amount that is no less than the amount that it pays a health care provider which it does own for a comparable service; prohibits an insurance company which is owned by a health care provider from paying any health care provider which does not own such insurance company an amount that is less than the amount that it pays a health care provider which does own such company for a comparable service.