Asm. Scott Bendett

Maddy summaryBill A 952 provides a New York State tax credit to volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers. This tax credit is equal to the cost of a fishing license and a small and big game hunting license. The bill amends existing environmental conservation law to include this new provision, directly affecting these volunteers by reducing the cost of these specific licenses through a tax credit.

Requires the notification of a public utility company's or municipality's customers when the supply rate increases by at least forty percent and to notify such customers of bill assistance programs by posting on the utility company's website.

Establishes a small business tax credit for certain efforts taken to improve such small business's facility in an effort to reduce the spread of infectious diseases.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $10,000 tax deduction for adoptive parents who legally adopt a child with special needs. It directly affects taxpayers who become the legal parents of a child under 21 with a significant physical, mental, or emotional condition that, per the Office of Children and Family Services, creates a major obstacle to adoption. The deduction can be applied each year the taxpayer maintains legal parenthood of the child. The policy change applies to taxable years starting January 1, 2025.

Enacts the New York state antisemitism vandalism act which establishes the crime of vandalism of pro-Israel print, which provides a class A misdemeanor for any individual who intentionally destroys, damages, removes, or causes to be destroyed, damaged or removed any banner, poster, flyer or billboard which is located in a public space, where the intent or purpose of such banner, poster, flyer or billboard is to bring awareness for Israeli individuals who have been victims of a crime, or to positively support the country or citizens of Israel in any way.

Maddy summaryThis bill streamlines background checks for prospective child care employees and volunteers by allowing the New York State Education Department to share their fingerprints and criminal history records directly with the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). It applies to individuals already cleared under education law for child care roles, removing previous barriers to sharing data between agencies. The law permits the Education Department to forward cleared applicants' records to OCFS for final background checks, and then enables OCFS to receive future criminal history updates directly from the state's criminal justice system. This eliminates duplicate checks and ensures OCFS has timely information to approve hires under safety regulations.

Authorizes the legislative commission on the development of rural resources to study the effectiveness of pond and lake management programs; provides for the comprehensive control and mitigation of harmful algal blooms in both marine and fresh water; provides for emergency response to water contaminations by algal bloom or hypoxia.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires transit authorities and their subsidiaries to ensure accessible buses (wheelchair-friendly) are available within a three-mile service area of any bus line. It mandates that 65% of all regularly operated buses must be accessible, achieved by requiring all newly purchased, leased, or brought-into-service buses (except those for temporary shortages) to be accessible until the 65% threshold is met. The law directly affects public transit agencies like the MTA, ensuring better access for transportation-disabled riders, including wheelchair users, on fixed-route bus services. Key provisions include the 65% accessibility target and the 3-mile service area requirement for accessible buses.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 6835) removes a legal barrier preventing testimony about medical review meetings in malpractice cases. It specifically allows doctors, hospitals, or other medical professionals to testify about discussions held during medical quality review meetings if they are named as parties in a malpractice lawsuit. Currently, such meetings and testimony are protected from disclosure under New York law. The change applies to reviews related to patient care, treatment disputes, or fees involving physicians, dentists, podiatrists, or hospital administrators. This policy shift directly affects medical professionals and patients involved in malpractice litigation where review meeting details were previously shielded.

Authorizes school districts to submit an opt-out waiver to the commissioner of education authorizing such districts to opt-out of certain zero-emission school bus requirements.