Asm. Jonathan Jacobson

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's insurance law to require health insurers to cover image-guided breast biopsies as part of mandatory breast cancer screening. It directly affects patients seeking breast cancer detection and insurers who must provide this coverage when recommended by a physician following nationally recognized clinical guidelines. The key change adds "image-guided breast biopsies" to the list of covered screening and diagnostic imaging procedures, alongside mammograms and ultrasounds. Coverage applies only when the procedure is recommended by a physician and aligns with evidence-based clinical guidelines. The requirement takes effect January 1, 2026, for new or renewed insurance policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public employees in New York (including state, county, school district, and retirement system workers) to use accrued sick, vacation, or personal time during waiting periods for workers' compensation benefits or when their claim is disputed. Employers cannot force employees to use this time during such periods, and if an employee later qualifies for benefits, they get their used time fully restored. The law does not apply to employees covered by collective bargaining agreements unless their union specifically opts in to these provisions. It preserves existing collective bargaining rights while ensuring employees don't lose accrued time during workers' comp processing delays.

Regulates the development and use of certain artificial intelligence systems to prevent algorithmic discrimination; requires independent audits of high risk AI systems; provides for enforcement by the attorney general.

Relates to enacting the rent emergency stabilization for tenants act on local determinations of a housing emergency; authorizes a city with a population of one million or more to declare an emergency as to any class of housing accommodations if the vacancy rate for the housing accommodations in such class within such municipality is not in excess of five percent and a declaration of emergency may be made as to all housing accommodations if the vacancy rate for the housing accommodations within such municipality is not in excess of five percent; authorizes other cities, towns and villages to declare a housing emergency after considering publicly available data and holding public hearings.

Provides that the New York state energy research and development authority shall provide information to residential and commercial consumers regarding renewable energy technology incentive and affordability programs through a variety of methods, including brochures, posters, social media, television ads, and public ambassadors.

Prohibits certain financial institutions from charging a fee for making monthly, semi-monthly, and biweekly payments or for changing the frequency of mortgage payments.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 9209) requires manufacturers shipping electric-assist bicycles and electric scooters in New York State to permanently install specific lighting before selling them. It mandates front white lights visible 500 feet ahead and rear red or amber lights visible 300 feet behind (with 200-foot side visibility) for e-bikes, and similar rear lights for e-scooters. The law directly affects manufacturers selling these vehicles in New York, not end-users or riders. It takes effect 90 days after becoming law, setting clear safety standards for lighting equipment on these products.

Requires the workers' compensation board to submit a supplemental report every year, including recommendations to modernize such board and certain data regarding claims made and decisions rendered on such claims.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an extended producer responsibility program for mattresses, requiring manufacturers and importers to manage the disposal and recycling of their products. Producers must submit a detailed plan to the state department outlining how they will collect discarded mattresses, with specific goals to ensure collection sites are accessible to the majority of residents within a few years. The program defines recycling as separating materials for reuse while excluding incineration, chemical conversion, or landfill disposal. Retailers and consumers are also involved, with retailers responsible for facilitating the return of old mattresses and consumers able to discard them at designated collection sites. The legislation creates an advisory board to oversee the program and sets up enforcement measures and penalties for non-compliance.

Restricts the use by an employer or an employment agency of electronic monitoring or an automated employment decision tool to screen a candidate or employee for an employment decision unless such tool has been the subject of an impact assessment within the last year; requires notice to employment candidates of the use of such tools; provides remedies for violations.