Asm. John McDonald

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's criminal procedure law to require psychiatric examiners to specifically assess whether "restoration services" could realistically restore a defendant's competence to stand trial within a reasonable timeframe. Restoration services include medication support, competency instruction, mock trials, and symptom management designed to help defendants understand charges and participate in their defense. It directly affects defendants deemed "incapacitated" (unable to understand proceedings due to mental health issues) during criminal trials. The law mandates examiners include this assessment in their reports, clarifies what constitutes "appropriate institutions" for providing services, and defines restoration services as distinct from general mental health treatment.

Authorizes the South End Children's Cafe Inc. to file an application for a retroactive real property tax exemption with the city of Albany assessor for all applicable taxes from the 2025-2026 assessment rolls.

Establishes a competency restoration workgroup to evaluate and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the competency restoration process as it relates to defendants who are being evaluated and receiving restoration under article seven hundred thirty of the criminal procedure law to permit legal proceedings to resume without undue delay.

Provides parity to durable medical equipment providers by requiring Medicaid managed care organizations to reimburse such providers at no less than one hundred percent of the medical assistance durable medical equipment fee schedule for the same service or item.

Enacts the "pediatric palliative care center act" to establish a demonstration program for pediatric palliative care centers for up to five not-for-profits to provide palliative care to individuals who are under twenty-one years of age, have been diagnosed with a chronic, complex, life-threatening illness that is expected to shorten their life expectancy, and is not expected to survive past twenty-one years of age; authorizes the establishment or approval of a rate methodology.

Requires that tax amounts extended on the final assessment roll, and any interest or penalties subsequently accruing thereon, be rounded to the nearest five-cent denomination prior to inclusion on any bill or notice.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A10299) adds personal income tax filings as a new method for New York residents to register for organ, eye, and tissue donation through the Donate Life Registry. It requires tax forms subject to mandatory electronic filing to include a clear checkbox asking: "Would you like to be added to the Donate Life Registry? Check box for 'yes' or 'skip this question'." This expands existing registration options - like driver's license applications and health insurance forms - to include tax documents. The policy change directly affects all New York residents who file taxes electronically, making donation registration more accessible during routine tax submissions. The bill amends Public Health Law Section 4310 to formalize this process.

Directs the department of transportation to conduct a comprehensive study of highway construction and maintenance worker safety; directs the department to gather feedback from stakeholders; requires the department to submit a report on its findings and recommendations.

Relates to certain guilty pleas where the plea is in the interest of justice and which are entered into with both the permission of the court and the consent of the people.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all state agencies to only purchase firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories from dealers who do not sell unserialized gun build kits or firearm precursor parts. Bidders must certify annual compliance with firearm safety laws, including providing documentation on trace requests, thefts, inspections, and policies preventing straw sales or sales to prohibited individuals. It mandates that contractors implement specific safety practices, such as employee training and digital surveillance, to detect illegal transfers. The state will develop a public safety scoring system to evaluate bidders' compliance, effective April 2027. This directly affects state procurement contracts and suppliers seeking to work with government agencies.