B|Estates: Enforcing Civil Rights in DE. A Jail Construction Moratorium in MA. Urban Tree Planting Resources in NY.

Select highlights on state legislation you should pay attention to ... because it might end up in the state where you live, too

State Legislatures Currently in Session …

Current Partisan Composition …

Recent State Legislative Election Results …

Delaware  

Democratic House | Democratic Senate | Democratic Governor 

HB299 (D) - This Act prohibits the seller of consumer goods or services from refusing to accept cash payment, except in limited circumstances. Sales covered by this Act are those made at a retail store through an in-person transaction. The Act does not apply to sales of goods or services by electric or gas utilities, telephone, mail or internet sales, or for services provided at parking lots or garages. It creates graduated civil penalties for violations and provides consumers a private right of action to recover double damages, including consequential damages, for a second violation of the law and triple damages for subsequent violations. 

HB293 (Partisan) - House Bill No. 293 requires that meetings of public bodies that are open to the public must provide an opportunity for public comment. Meetings of a public body of the General Assembly are excluded from the requirement to provide an opportunity for public comment because under § 9 of Art. II of the Delaware Constitution, the rules of proceedings for legislative meetings are established by the Senate and House of Representatives of each General Assembly.

HB255 (D) - This Act criminalizes the deprivation of civil rights modeled after federal law (18 U.S.C. 242) and enforced by the Delaware Department of Justices Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust. The new crime of deprivation of civil rights would be a Class A misdemeanor, which could elevate to a Class D or Class B felony depending on the nature of the injury or harm. This new crime of deprivation of civil rights serves as a predicate offense for hate crimes, or for racketeering if committed by an enterprise. By including conduct committed under color of any ordinance, regulation, or custom, this law accounts for conduct by actors in areas such as banking, lending, leasing, government contracts or political operatives.

Massachusetts 

Democratic House | Democratic Senate | Republican Governor 

H1479 (D) - For legislation to remove qualified immunity for civil rights violations. The Judiciary.

S3136 (D) - Expanding wheelchair warranty protections for consumers with disabilities.

H1905 (D) - Relative to establishing a jail and prison construction moratorium.

 

New York 

Democratic House | Democratic Senate | Democratic Governor  

S09586 (D) - Enacts the "New York urban and community tree planting and forestry program act"; provides for education, technical assistance and support for tree planting and forestry projects in urban areas and disadvantaged communities. 

S09444 (D) - Requires SUNY and CUNY to offer abortion by medication techniques at all on-campus student health centers at colleges or universities within the SUNY and CUNY systems; creates a fund to help finance the implementation of offering such services at SUNY and CUNY on-campus student health centers.

S09592 (R) - Provides for an enhanced home energy assistance program tax credit for certain income eligible residents.