Weekly Legislative Update - March 28, 2025

Floor News

Debt Service

The Assembly and Senate passed the Debt Service Budget Bill (A.3002). Vote: 112-35.

Vietnam Veterans Day

The Assembly adopted a resolution (K.261) memorializing the Governor to proclaim March 29, 2025, as Vietnam Veterans Day in New York State.

AI Companion Protections

The Assembly passed a bill (A.6767), which prohibits businesses from providing an AI companion to a user unless such AI companion contains a protocol for addressing possible:

suicidal ideation or self-harm expressed by a user to the AI companion; physical harm to others expressed by a user to the AI companion; and financial harm to others expressed by the user to the AI companion. Requires operators of AI companions to provide periodic notification to users that such companion is not a real human (vote: 149-0).

For-Profit Hospice Restrictions

The Assembly passed a bill (A.565) prohibiting the approval of any new hospice or the expansion of any existing hospice if the hospice in question is or will be operated (either wholly or in part) on a for-profit basis or by a for-profit entity (vote: 99-50).

Gender Neutral Bathrooms

The Assembly passed a bill (A.805), which establishes that if no single occupancy bathroom can be designated as gender neutral in a State owned building, a multiple occupancy bathroom shall be designated as gender neutral instead (vote: 89-60).

Warrant Requirement for Electronic Communications and Metadata

The Assembly passed a bill (A.2565), which prohibits law enforcement from compelling the production of, or access to, electronic communications and metadata from persons or service providers except pursuant to a warrant. Exceptions to the warrant requirement include owner consent,locating a lost device, and emergencies involving imminent danger of death or serious physical injury(vote: 93-56).

Class Certification for Purposes of Class Action Lawsuits

The Assembly passed a bill (A.1550), which amends the Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR) to prohibit a court from denying or withholding class certification in class actions brought by multiple plaintiffs solely because the action involves governmental operations (vote: 98-49).

Committee News

Consumer Affairs and Protection

Despite unanimous Republican opposition, the Consumer Affairs and Protection Committee reported the following bills:

A.73: Prohibits any person, firm, or corporation from selling any gas stove in the State unless a removable label is affixed to it informing consumers about the emissions and health impacts of gas stoves. This bill was reported to Codes.

A.3038-A: Prohibits creditors from claiming, attempting or threatening to enforce, or otherwise asserting any right to any debt when such creditor knows or has reason to know that such debt is a coerced debt. Establishes a private right of action for violations of this act and authorizes the court to impose a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for each violation.

This bill was reported to Codes.

Corporations, Authorities and Commissions

Despite unanimous Republican opposition, the Corporations, Authorities and Commissions

Committee reported a bill (A.1441-A), which changes customer bill complaint handling procedures involving the Public Service Commission (PSC) as well as utilities and municipalities providing gas, electric, and steam service. Imposes the following penalties against all utilities and municipalities that do not report back to their customers in a “timely” manner: $100 per business per day beyond 15 days for utilities or $25 per business per day beyond 30 days for municipalities. This bill was reported to Codes.

The Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee reported a bill (A.2447), which directs gas, electric, gas-electric, water, and steam utilities, telegraph and telephone providers, and certain municipalities to give up to 30 days’ notice to property owners whom it is reasonably expected will be directly and materially impacted by non-emergency scheduled services, construction, or other work done under a valid permit by said entities.

This bill was reported to the Floor.

Children and Families

Despite unanimous Republican opposition, the Children and Families Committee reported a bill(A.2620), which specifies that law enforcement must immediately notify a parent or legal guardian that their child is in custody prior to transporting such child to a police station. Further requires that juveniles consult with an attorney prior to being interrogated and establishes circumstances that immediately suppresses statements made by a juvenile when in police custody.This bill was reported to Codes.

Election Law

Despite unanimous Republican opposition, the Election Law Committee reported a bill (A.1241-A),which repeals Section 17-140 of the Election Law entitled "Furnishing money or entertainment to induce attendance at polls” that prohibits any person, directly or indirectly, by themselves or through another party, from giving or providing meat, drink, tobacco, refreshment, or provision at polling places.This bill was reported to the Floor.The section of Election Law being repealed was found unconstitutional and unenforceable by a federal court in 2024.

Codes

The Codes Committee reported a bill (A.6556), which amends Civil Procedure Law and Rules(CPLR) with respect to the relevant factors that a court must consider when determining whether or not grounds exist to issue a Temporary Extreme Risk Protection Order (TERPO) to include whether there is evidence of recent acts of “aggravated cruelty” to companion animals. The term“recent” means within the six months prior to the date the TERPO petition was filed. This bill was reported to the Floor.

Correction

Despite unanimous Republican opposition, the Correction Committee reported the following bills:

A.3102: Expands the current Correction Law definition of “serious mental illness” as it relates to restricting segregated confinement of inmates with “Axis I Diagnoses” by replacing it with the Mental Hygiene Law’s definition of “serious mental illness,” which includes conditions such as anxiety disorder and OCD. This bill was reported to Ways and Means.

A.4503: Authorizes and directs the DOCCS Commissioner to study gender disparity in resources provided to incarcerated individuals. This bill was reported to Ways & Means.A 2017 law already requires that rehabilitation programs for women be commensurate to those afforded men.

A.5955: Directs DOCCS to undertake a study of the treatment, conditions, and prevalence of the elderly prison population and what plans, if any, it has to provide for this increasing segment of the incarcerated population. While “elderly” is not defined in the bill, the sponsor’s memo identifies the term as referring to age 50 and above. This bill was reported to Ways and Means.

Week In Focus

On 3/25, Leader Barclay, Assemblyman Maher, and Assemblywoman Walsh were joined by Members of the Assembly Republican Conference and stakeholders to unveil the Human Trafficking Task Force Report, pushing for legislation to support survivors and combat this growing issue across the State. CLICK HERE for the report. To view the press conference, CLICK HERE.

On 3/25, Assemblyman Jensen, Assemblywoman Giglio, Assemblyman Ra, and Members of the Assembly Republican Conference held a press conference calling for a delay to the CDPAP deadline (A.7426). To view the press conference, CLICK HERE.