Prohibits state reimbursement of campaign and political committees, or legal defense funds, for payments made on behalf of the criminal or civil defense of a state employee.
Encourages the participation of minority- and women-owned business enterprises in state contracts by avoiding unnecessary and unjustified bundling of contract requirements that preclude minority- and women-owned business participation.
Clarifies the standard for intentional discrimination or retaliation claims by requiring a person or persons prove that an unlawful motivation was a motivating factor and not "the sole motivating factor" or a "but-for cause" of the challenged treatment.
Provides that certain allegations made by employees involving employment discrimination shall be protected and matters of public interest in actions involving public petition and participation.
Decreases the frequency of lock-down drills in schools; directs that such drills shall be implemented with a trauma-informed approach; permits parents to opt their children out of such drills.
Permits the admissibility of testimony that a person reported acts of discrimination to another person in a civil trial under the human rights law, including the contents of such report.
Establishes a task force to conduct a comprehensive study on the presence of educator diversity in the state, state actions taken to promote educator diversity, and how the state can encourage new initiatives to enhance and promote educator diversity in New York; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof.
Enacts the "go green schools act" to assist school districts in converting to renewable energy sources as a primary source of energy; directs NYSERDA to conduct a study and make recommendations for such purpose.
Directs the department of social services to establish a refugee resettlement program with the goals of achieving economic and social self-sufficiency, assisting victims of human trafficking, and assuring proper foster care for unaccompanied refugees.
Prohibits the use of drilling fluids, brine and flowback water from gas or oil wells, pools, or fields on any highway for any purpose including but not limited to de-icing or dust suppression.
Authorizes a study on lithium-ion battery fires and prevention to review the severity of lithium-ion battery fires, including what specific components of the battery causes severe fires; examine the effectiveness of lithium fireproof blankets on such fires; examine the current measures of safety implemented by fire departments across New York in relation to lithium-ion battery fires; requires a report to the governor and the legislature; makes related provisions.