This bill requires the Public Service Commission to allow virtual attendance for public proceedings related to gas, electric, water utilities, and settlement negotiations, while still permitting in-person participation. It also mandates that the commission and administrative law judges accept all documents electronically, eliminating the need for physical copies unless electronic submission is not feasible. The changes apply to all formal and informal matters before the commission, including hearings, rulemaking, and rate proceedings, with limited virtual access restrictions for confidential settlement negotiations.
Updates the definition of cyberbullying in the dignity for all students act to include intentionally using artificial intelligence to mimic or alter a person's likeness or voice without their consent.
Requires age verification for internet pornography websites; imposes a $50,000 penalty per day for violations; provides exemptions for news organizations.
Requires mobile applications on cell phones, smart phones and tablets that offer a subscription service provide an option to cancel the subscription on its application and have the option posted in a clear and conspicuous format.
This bill allows counties without a locally published newspaper to post official local laws and notices online instead of through print media. It directly affects counties that lack a newspaper within their boundaries, removing the requirement to use print publications for legal notices. The key provision exempts these counties from traditional newspaper publication rules, authorizing them to use the county's official website or state-run digital platforms for all required notices. This change simplifies compliance for counties that cannot meet the newspaper publication requirement, ensuring residents still receive official information through accessible digital channels. The bill amends existing county law to update publication methods for modern accessibility.
Prohibits the release of a consumer's electrical or gas consumption data to any police officer, or private, local, state or federal law enforcement entity without a judicial court-ordered subpoena, warrant or the consumer's written consent.
Requires medical records to be made available to patients in an electronic format through a web portal and in a format that allows patients to save records to their own device; requires electronic medical records systems to give qualified persons access to records in a single, secure format and to establish policies and procedures to endure confidentiality.
This bill requires prosecutors to inform crime victims - including those who experienced sexual offenses - about New York's address confidentiality program. The program helps protect victims' home addresses from public disclosure by providing alternative mailing addresses. Prosecutors must now specifically notify victims about this program during case proceedings, as mandated by the new requirements added to state law. This change directly affects victims navigating the justice system by ensuring they learn about available privacy protections. The bill amends existing laws to make this notification a standard step in victim communication.
Requires the office for the prevention of domestic violence provide informational materials on removing an abuser's access to a smart home and the use of other technology for harassment.
This bill expands telehealth healthcare coverage by requiring insurers and government programs to reimburse telehealth services at the same rate as in-person visits, with specific exceptions. It ensures telehealth providers are paid equally for most services, though they won't be reimbursed for facility costs (like clinic fees) that weren't incurred during virtual visits. Mental health services delivered via telehealth - covered under specific mental hygiene laws - must receive full in-person reimbursement rates unless a commissioner deems them inappropriate. New telehealth modalities, provider types, or locations require federal funding approval. The bill aims to make telehealth financially equivalent to in-person care for most covered services.
