This bill provides emergency funding to keep New York state government operating during a critical budget gap from April 1-3, 2025. It allocates $279.9 million for state employee payrolls (including March 2025 back pay), $10 million for essential operational costs, and $1.1 billion for Medicaid programs. The funding ensures continuity for state services, payroll, and Medicaid payments while awaiting the regular 2025-2026 budget. It was enacted rapidly and signed into law on April 1, 2025, to prevent a government shutdown.
This bill expands New York's paid family leave program to include up to four weeks of paid leave for employees experiencing a stillbirth and one week for miscarriage. It directly affects employees in New York who face these pregnancy losses, providing financial support during this time. The law specifies that leave benefits will equal 67% of an employee's average weekly wages (capped at the state average) for the designated periods. Employees must provide proof like a stillbirth or fetal death certificate to qualify, and the leave counts toward the annual 12-week maximum family leave allowance.
Prohibits state agencies from promulgating rules, regulations or any form of guidance requiring individuals under the age of eighteen who are not exhibiting COVID-19 related symptoms, as defined by the centers for disease control and prevention, to wear a mask or face covering in a public place or while participating in any recreational or organized sporting activity.
Requires the department of health to establish a registry for the collection of information on the incidence and prevalence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and motor neuron disease (MND) in the state; requires that every physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant and general hospital that diagnoses or treats a patient diagnosed with ALS or MND give notice to the department of cases of ALS or MND coming under their care; requires that patients diagnosed with ALS or MND be provided with written and verbal notice regarding the collection of information and patient data on ALS and MND and provides a method for patients to opt out of the collection of data; provides for duties of the department and the commissioner of health in relation thereto.
Directs the commissioner of mental health to establish a public awareness campaign concerning the dangers of social media and cell phone use by school-age children, including but not limited to the addictive qualities of social media, the stunting impact of social media usage on the development of social skills, increased feelings of isolation, anxiety and depression among adolescent users and the attendant amplification of peer on peer bullying, and increased rates of adolescent suicide and suicide attempts, as well as about how to recognize suicide risk factors and seek suicide prevention assistance.
Permits emergency medical parole during a time of crisis to those that have a disability and who are at serious risk for death, disease or other harm due to an emergency disaster being declared provided such person has a reasonably stable living situation upon release and does not pose an unreasonable current public safety risk.
Requires hospitals and medical facilities to notify nursing homes or assisted living facilities upon receipt of a positive COVID-19 test result for a resident of such nursing home or assisted living facility; provides penalties for violations.
Provides that health insurance contracts and policies for long term care shall be renewable each year at the option of the insured unless there is nonpayment of premiums.
Requires the inclusion of suicide prevention resources to be provided with a warrant of eviction, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the applicable Suicide Crisis telephone number as provided by the Office of Mental Health.
Relates to clarifying which entities handle the reporting of pregnancy loss; the responsibilities of health care providers and penalties for not protecting the identities of individuals who suffered a pregnancy loss.