Asm. Brian Maher

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 8971) creates a process to assess how New York schools teach Italian American heritage history. The state education commissioner must survey school districts on topics like which grades cover this history, curriculum used, and challenges faced. An advisory committee of appointed experts will then review the survey results and recommend improvements to K-12 curriculum and teaching resources. The committee must submit recommendations within two years and disband after that, with the entire process expiring three years after enactment. The bill directly affects school districts and state education officials, but does not mandate specific curriculum changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 12-member task force to study and improve how New York reimburses victim services providers - specifically nonprofits supporting victims of domestic violence, trafficking, and other harms. The task force will examine current reimbursement rates, funding models, and regulations that make it difficult for these organizations to sustain operations. It must hold public hearings across the state and submit two reports (within 1 year and 2 years) with recommendations to modernize the funding system. The task force’s work will inform future legislative proposals but does not change funding directly.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans to cover annual electrocardiogram (EKG) tests and their interpretation for children under 19 years old. It directly affects insured children and their families by mandating this specific preventive heart screening as part of standard pediatric care. The key provision adds EKG coverage as a required service at each well-child visit, with more frequent testing allowed if a physician orders it based on clinical judgment. This policy change ensures insurance coverage for this heart screening without requiring additional patient costs, applying to all policies issued after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax-advantaged savings program for farmers. It allows qualified farmers to deduct cash contributions to special "farm savings accounts" from their taxable income, with contributions limited to their farming income for the year. The accounts are tax-exempt while active, but funds withdrawn for non-farm purposes incur a 15% surcharge. Accounts automatically end if the farmer stops farming, requiring the balance to be taxed as income. The program directly affects individual farmers and farm businesses seeking tax benefits for farm sustainability investments.

Requires the state pay taxes on the assessed value of properties of closed state prisons until such prison is reopened, used by another state agency, or is conveyed to a non-governmental entity.

Prohibits the administration of COVID-19 mRNA vaccinations; requires the department of health to conduct a study and make recommendations on the benefits and risks of the administration of such vaccines; requires a self-controlled case series to be completed; makes related provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a seasonal exemption that previously limited state liability for injuries caused by defects in state highways to the period between May 15 and November 15. It now holds the state liable year-round for damages resulting from such defects on highways maintained under the commissioner's system. The change applies to all state-maintained roads but excludes liability for defects in bridges outside state control. People injured by highway defects can now seek compensation regardless of the season.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates August 31st of every year as "Overdose Awareness Day" in New York State. It adds this date to the existing list of official commemorative days in the executive law, alongside other observances like Juneteenth and Holocaust Remembrance Day. The bill does not create new policies, funding, or requirements - it simply establishes an annual day of remembrance focused on overdose prevention and awareness. This designation directly affects New York State residents and government entities, which may choose to recognize the day through official proclamations or events. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Increases the amount of money a public retirement system retiree may earn in a position of public service in the year 2025 and thereafter to $100,000.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 209) is a procedural change that amends New York City's administrative code to add "borough of parks" as an official designation for Staten Island. It does not alter the borough's boundaries, functions, or policies - it only updates the formal name used in city documents. The change affects how the borough is identified in official city records but has no impact on residents, services, or local governance. The bill directly modifies Section 2-202 of the city's administrative code.