Congratulating Michael Chao upon the occasion of receiving the distinguished rank of Eagle Scout, the most prestigious of Scouting honors, on May 18, 2025
Enacts into law components of legislation relating to certain criminal justice reform in the state of New York; establishes law enforcement officer grant funds (Part A); provides judges more discretion regarding securing orders and limiting the lengths of certain orders (Part B); requires affirmative consent for the disclosure of contact information of witnesses to a defendant; provides that denial of such consent shall only be for good cause as determined by the court (Part C); relates to consideration of the death penalty for the commission of certain provisions of murder in the first degree (Part D).
Establishes conviction integrity units; describes conviction integrity units; creates definitions; provides that a prosecution agency may create a conviction integrity unit to review convictions; provides that a conviction integrity unit may make recommendations for changes in convictions and sentences obtained by the prosecution agency; grants the prosecution agency discretion regarding the conviction integrity unit's recommendations; requires notice to the victim if a petition is filed by the prosecution agency; gives the superior court the discretion to provide relief.
Enacts the "freedom to read act"; requires the commissioner of education and school library systems to develop policies to ensure that school libraries and library staff are empowered to curate and develop collections that provide students with access to the widest array of developmentally appropriate materials available.
Requires the commissioner of labor to prepare an annual report on the cost of living, poverty rates and adequacy of the current minimum wage in the state.