Asm. Paula Kay

Expands confidentiality provisions relating to certain investigations of medical or quality assurance or a medical or dental malpractice prevention program, to include statements made by any persons at such reviews who are a party to an action which was reviewed at such proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's Penal Law to explicitly include animal fighting under the definition of criminal activity for enterprise corruption charges. It adds "section three hundred fifty-one of the agriculture and markets law relating to animal fighting" to the list of offenses that qualify as criminal activity in enterprise corruption cases. This change directly affects prosecutors and courts handling cases where animal fighting is part of a larger criminal enterprise, allowing such cases to be prosecuted under enterprise corruption statutes. The key mechanism is a technical update to the legal definition, not a new policy or funding measure.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurers to automatically approve preauthorization requests for specific medical services when healthcare professionals (like doctors or nurses) have received approval for at least 90% of similar requests in the past six months. It directly affects healthcare providers who work with participating insurers and ensures insurers must pay for covered services without delay or reduction once automatic approval is granted. Key provisions include annual reviews (by November 15th) to maintain approval status, a 30-day notice period before rescinding approvals, and a guarantee that insurers cannot deny payment for services covered under the automatic approval. The law aims to reduce administrative delays for providers while maintaining insurer oversight through retrospective reviews.

Establishes the New York state equine industry board, to advise and make recommendations to the state agencies on state government plans, policies and programs affecting all aspects of equine industry, and in such areas as its experience and studies may indicate to be appropriate.

Enacts "Penny's law" to create the offenses of negligent handling of a dog and reckless handling of a dog; codifies the requirement that dogs be restrained in New York city; requires signage in parks that all dogs must be restrained.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows property and casualty insurance companies to deliver certain notices electronically instead of by mail. It specifically applies to notices related to insurance contracts under vehicle and traffic law, such as policy changes or coverage evidence. The law requires electronic notices to meet state technology law standards and permits delivery to an electronic address not listed in the policy. This change directly affects insurance policyholders and companies by expanding how they receive legally required notifications. The bill makes electronic delivery legally valid for these specific notices, replacing the previous requirement for physical mailing.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes permanent a 2006 law that creates a presumption: volunteer firefighters diagnosed with certain lung disabilities (like cancer or respiratory illnesses) are automatically considered to have incurred those conditions during firefighting duties. It directly affects volunteer firefighters in New York who develop these specific lung conditions while serving. The key change removes the previous expiration date (June 30, 2025), ensuring the presumption remains in effect indefinitely. This simplifies the process for eligible firefighters to access benefits by shifting the burden of proof to the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes an exemption that previously allowed restaurants, taverns, and similar food service establishments in New York to provide plastic carryout bags without restriction. It amends the state's bag waste reduction law to require these businesses to follow the same rules as other retailers regarding plastic bag usage. The key change means restaurants can no longer use plastic bags for takeout food without adhering to the state's bag reduction requirements. This directly affects all food service businesses that provide plastic bags for customer takeout or delivery.

Relates to the assault of physicians providing direct patient care; provides that assault of physicians shall be assault in the second degree, a class D felony.

Eliminates the ability of judicial candidates for office who are enrolled in a particular party to automatically be allowed to run as a candidate in another party's primary election.