Requires railroad corporations to conduct a comprehensive safety inspection when a freight train is parked in a train yard prior to traveling on tracks within the state including, but not be limited to, a review of tracks, safety equipment, including brakes, and train cars.
Adds assault of a highway worker, motor vehicle investigator and motor vehicle inspector to the crime of assault in the second degree; defines such terms.
Provides that certain purchase contracts to purchase food can be awarded to a qualified bidder who fulfills certain values based procurement standards when such bid is not more than 10% higher than the lowest responsible bidder and when the bidder makes publicly available data on where such bidder sources their food items; sets forth the criteria for values based procurement standards to include local economies, environmental resilience, racial equity, valued workforce, valued agricultural sector, animal welfare, and nutrition.
Bill S 8135 expands the eligibility for World Trade Center (WTC)-related benefits to include certain employees who worked at the Verrazano Bridge Toll Facility. It amends the retirement and social security law by adding these workers to the definition of those who "participated in World Trade Center rescue, recovery or cleanup operations." This change allows these specific employees to qualify for WTC-related benefits. The bill takes effect immediately and applies retroactively to September 11, 2001.
This bill would create a $1,500 wage tax credit for New York employers who hire qualifying individuals: New York National Guard members, reservists, volunteer firefighters, and EMS personnel. To qualify, an employee must work for the employer for at least six months. The credit reduces the employer's state tax liability, with any unused portion carried forward to future tax years (but not refunded with interest). It applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2027, and is currently pending legislative action.
Relates to the terms and conditions of employment for members of the collective negotiating unit consisting of troopers in the division of state police and salary schedules for members of such unit; relates to the employee benefit fund for members of such unit; provides for the payment of overtime pursuant to the terms of any agreement (Part A); relates to the terms and conditions of employment for members of the collective negotiating unit consisting of commissioned and non-commissioned officers in the division of state police and salary schedules for members of such unit; relates to the employee benefit fund for members of such unit (Part B).
This bill establishes "first responder safety zones" on highways, defining them as areas up to 660 feet around facilities where fire, police, or ambulance vehicles are stationed. Within these clearly marked zones, the maximum speed limit for drivers is set at 15 miles per hour. Drivers are required to yield the right of way to emergency vehicles with active lights during an emergency within or entering these zones, and also to pedestrians crossing the roadway. Violations, such as failing to yield or exceeding the speed limit, carry fines, and a third offense for failing to yield can result in a one-year license suspension.
Establishes a 14 member doula Medicaid reimbursement work group within the department of health to set reimbursement rates for doulas in the state Medicaid program and address other criteria related to their practice; requires the work group to conduct a study and evaluate the costs, benefits and issues that may be associated with Medicaid reimbursement for doulas and for providing doula care to Medicaid recipients; makes related provisions.
This bill changes how trial and grand jurors are paid in New York courts. Instead of a fixed $40 daily allowance, jurors now receive an amount equal to the local minimum wage for each day they serve, based on the court's location. Employers with more than 10 workers cannot withhold the first $40 of a juror's daily wages for the first three days of service. Jurors earning less than the daily minimum wage receive the difference, and the state covers these payments through court administration funds.
This bill requires health insurers and health maintenance organizations to provide group health insurance policyholders (typically employers or organizations) with a 30-day written notice before terminating coverage. The notice must be mailed to the last known residential address of each covered individual (certificate holder or member) and include details about their coverage rights before and after termination. Exceptions apply if the policyholder already provided 30 days' notice to members or arranged replacement coverage. The policy cannot terminate until 30 days after the required notice is mailed, directly affecting employees covered under group health plans.
