Rep. Brian Maher

Directs the commissioner of health to conduct a study to identify, analyze, report, and medically combat new or previously unseen opiate/opioid compounds found in overdose patients in New York state for the purpose of establishing more efficient overdose medical treatment protocols.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "First Responder Peer Support Program Act" to create a statewide grant program for peer-to-peer mental health support services. It directly affects first responders - including firefighters, police officers, EMTs, 911 operators, and correctional officers - by providing funding for local programs offering trauma-informed training and mental health resources. Key provisions include requiring standardized training on trauma, suicide prevention, and resilience; mandating strict confidentiality for participants; and prohibiting disclosure of personal information to employers. Grants are allocated to eligible local entities, with annual reports tracking program use without identifying individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an optional 20-year retirement plan for New York state correction officers (including employees directly performing correction officer duties). Eligible members can choose this plan within one year of the law's effective date, allowing retirement after 20 years of service or at age 62. Upon retirement, they receive a pension equal to 1/40th of their final average salary per year of service (capped at 50% total), with additional benefits beyond 20 years capped at 75% of final average salary. The state covers the extra costs through additional contributions.

Prohibits the passage of bills by the legislature between the hours of midnight and eight o'clock a.m. unless 2/3 of the legislature is present; requires two-thirds approval for messages of necessity.

Maddy summaryBill A 3631 allows New York schools to use state or local funds to purchase whole or reduced-fat New York milk (defined as milk produced, processed, and distributed within New York State) for student meals or sales. It requires the Education Commissioner to notify schools about the provision and mandates a report after two years tracking school participation, milk consumption changes, and state promotion efforts. The bill expires if federal school lunch rules change to permit whole/reduced-fat milk generally or if updated federal dietary guidelines allow it. This policy directly affects public schools in New York seeking to support local dairy producers through school meal programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York school districts to purchase or lease only zero-emission school buses (electric or hydrogen-powered with no tailpipe emissions) when buying new vehicles by July 2027. It also mandates that all components and final assembly of these buses and their charging infrastructure must be made in the U.S. unless a waiver is granted for cost or feasibility reasons. Districts facing financial hardship may receive up to two years to comply after a cost-benefit analysis, and the law includes protections preventing workforce displacement for transportation employees during the transition. The full transition to zero-emission school buses must be completed by July 2047, or when all state vehicle fleets meet this standard, whichever comes later.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits any person or entity from selling, leasing, or transferring ownership of real property in New York State to the People's Republic of China, the Chinese Communist Party, or their affiliated organizations. It directly affects property owners, sellers, and lessees who might engage in transactions with these entities. The law authorizes the state attorney general to enforce it by seeking court orders to stop violations, including injunctions or declaratory relief for properties already sold or leased in violation. The policy change explicitly bans such transactions without exceptions, making them unlawful under New York law.

Relates to high-usage customers of electric utilities; establishes guidelines for electric service for high-usage customers; relates to water usage of high-usage customers entering into a high-usage contract with an electric utility or large-scale generation provider.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 9571) increases family leave benefits under New York's workers' compensation law, directly affecting eligible employees taking leave for medical care, bonding with a newborn, or military family exigencies. It gradually raises weekly benefit percentages (from 50% to 67% of average weekly wage) and extends maximum leave duration (from 8 to 12 weeks) over time, with specific phased-in dates starting in 2018. Covered employers must provide these enhanced benefits while maintaining health insurance coverage during leave. The changes apply to employees meeting eligibility criteria under the law, with the Superintendent of Financial Services retaining limited authority to delay increases.

Maddy summaryThis bill waives standard civil service exam requirements (including age limits) for Kevin Donohue, a current part-time police officer employed by the town of Goshen. It allows him to take the competitive exam for a full-time police officer position with Goshen's department, bypassing usual eligibility rules under state civil service law. If he passes the exam, he becomes eligible for appointment to the full-time role, though he must still meet merit and fitness standards. The bill applies solely to Donohue and takes effect immediately.