Asm. Steve Stern

Provides additional protections for sensitive health information; requires all health information networks, electronic health record systems, and health care providers to provide patients with a right to restrict the disclosures of such patient's health information; defines terms; provides for exceptions.

Provides that charter school applicants shall first apply to the community district education council or the board of education of the school district for approval for renewal of a charter within a certain amount of time and public hearings shall be conducted on such proposed application.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates how New York State sets payment rates for residential health care facilities (like nursing homes). It requires the state to adjust rates using specific components - direct/indirect price changes, facility-specific costs - and mandates updates by April 1, 2026, and every five years after. Special rate provisions apply to facilities providing specialized care (e.g., for brain injury rehab, AIDS units, or pediatric services), with inflation adjustments starting in 2026. The bill also creates a workgroup of experts to advise on rate-setting and includes funding mechanisms to support facility quality improvements.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale of medical adhesives and bandages containing PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in New York State after December 31, 2026. It directly affects manufacturers and sellers of these medical products, requiring them to ensure their items contain no intentionally added PFAS or PFAS above a feasible, regularly reviewed threshold. Sellers must obtain written compliance certificates from manufacturers confirming PFAS-free products, and violations carry civil penalties up to $2,500 per day of noncompliance. The law focuses on concrete regulatory changes for medical products, excluding FDA-regulated devices from its scope.

Expands eligibility for admission to New York state veterans' homes to certain veterans who have an immediate family member who shall have been a resident of this state for six months prior to the date of application for admission; defines an immediate family member to include a spouse, or a birth or adoptive parent, child, sibling, stepparent, stepchild, stepsibling, grandparent and grandchild; requires, where applicable, the immediate family member of a veteran applicant to file an affidavit of New York state residence; authorizes veterans with an immediate family member who has been a New York state resident for six months to be entitled to admission to the Long Island state veterans home at Stony Brook university.

Prohibits public employers from diminishing health insurance benefits provided to Medicare-eligible retirees and their Medicare-eligible dependents or the contributions such employer makes for such health insurance coverage below the level of such benefits or contributions made on behalf of such retirees and dependents by the public employer as of December 31, 2021.

Enacts the "packaging reduction and recycling infrastructure act" to require companies selling, offering for sale, or distributing packaging materials and products to register with a packaging reduction organization to develop a packaging reduction and recycling plan; makes related provisions.

Establishes a credit for military spouses and surviving spouses of veterans for competitive examinations whether for original appointment or promotion.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows private companies to voluntarily create written policies that give hiring, promotion, or retention preferences to veterans over equally qualified non-veterans. It defines "private employer" as any business entity excluding government agencies and specifies which individuals qualify as veterans based on their active duty service and discharge status. The policy must be applied consistently to all employment decisions, including situations where a company reduces its workforce. The legislation does not require businesses to adopt such policies but provides a legal framework for those that choose to do so.

Enacts the "veterinary care of retired law enforcement and fire service canines act" to provide reimbursement for certain veterinary costs to owners of retired service canines which had served in law enforcement agencies and fire departments.