Asm. Anil Beephan

Relates to the appointment and responsibilities of the commissioners of the public service commission; requires the commission to have a duty to protect public interest, including ensuring access to utility services for residential and business customers; prohibits commissioners from having been employed within the last two years by an electric, gas, steam, telecommunications, or water utility that is regulated by the commission.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans and issuers to cover rehabilitation treatment for children diagnosed with pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) when an attending physician certifies the medical necessity in writing. It directly affects children with PANS and their families, ensuring insurance coverage for necessary rehabilitation services. The key provision mandates that insurers provide this coverage without additional barriers, relying solely on physician certification rather than prior authorization for the treatment. The law applies to all health insurance policies issued, renewed, or modified on or after its effective date.

Provides that the thruway authority shall issue permits for ambulances and fire vehicles exempting such vehicles from paying tolls on the thruway when engaged in an emergency operation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2291) requires public utility authorities (like water, gas, or electric providers operating under state law) to get approval from the state legislature before increasing existing rates or fees, or creating new ones. It directly affects these utility authorities by preventing them from unilaterally changing customer costs. The key provision mandates that any rate or fee change must be reviewed and approved by the state legislature first. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts wood burning used for recreation, building heating, cooking, or food preparation from certain greenhouse gas emissions regulations. It directly affects rural residents and small communities who rely on wood-burning for these everyday purposes. The law modifies environmental conservation rules to exclude these specific wood-burning activities from compliance requirements tied to New York's 2019 climate law. The exemption applies immediately upon the bill's enactment.

Prohibits the use of intoxication of the victim as a defense in sex crimes where the victim is under the influence of any drug, intoxicant, or other substance to a degree which rendered the victim temporarily incapable of appraising or controlling such person's conduct and such condition was known or reasonably should have been known to a person in the actor's situation.

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.

Prohibits the elimination of building systems or equipment used for the combustion of fossil fuels, including, natural gas, propane and fuel oil in new building construction.

Directs the commissioner of education to change the name of the state high school equivalency diploma, formerly known as the general education development (GED) program, to the Excelsior diploma.

Allows Christopher Strattner, a retired police officer, to serve as chief of police for the town of Fishkill police department without diminution of retirement benefits.