Asm. John McDonald

Maddy summaryThis bill requires drivers to pass bicycles and pedestrians safely on roads outside New York City. In towns and cities with under one million residents, drivers must move to another lane if possible when overtaking a cyclist or pedestrian, or maintain at least a three-foot distance if lane changes aren't feasible. If neither option is safe, drivers must only proceed if it's reasonable under current road conditions. The law applies specifically to vehicles overtaking cyclists or pedestrians on the same side of the road in non-NYC areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the previous limit of 10 visits or 30 days for physical therapists to treat patients without a physician referral. It directly affects licensed physical therapists and their patients, allowing ongoing treatment without a referral as long as three requirements are met: therapists must refer patients if symptoms suggest other care is needed, communicate with the patient’s primary care provider during treatment, and provide written notice to patients about potential insurance coverage issues without a referral. The bill requires therapists to document patient notification with a signed form. These changes aim to streamline access to physical therapy while ensuring patient safety and insurance clarity.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows property and casualty insurance companies to deliver certain notices electronically instead of by mail. It specifically applies to notices related to insurance contracts under vehicle and traffic law, such as policy changes or coverage evidence. The law requires electronic notices to meet state technology law standards and permits delivery to an electronic address not listed in the policy. This change directly affects insurance policyholders and companies by expanding how they receive legally required notifications. The bill makes electronic delivery legally valid for these specific notices, replacing the previous requirement for physical mailing.

Authorizes emergency medical technicians to administer certain vaccines pursuant to non-patient specific orders and under the authority of an emergency medical services director after receiving appropriate training; authorizes physicians and certified nurse practitioners to prescribe and order a non-patient specific order to an emergency medical technician to administer certain vaccines; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof.

Provides a reduction in insurance premium charges for insured volunteer firefighters and emergency personnel for a 3 year period after successfully completing the emergency vehicle operator's course as part of their training.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new license allowing supermarkets meeting specific size and sales criteria to sell wine in sealed containers (like bottles or cans) for off-premises consumption. To qualify, a store must primarily sell food (over 65% of revenue) and be at least 4,000 square feet, with a $10,000 franchise fee required. Licenses cannot be granted within 200 feet of schools/churches or 500 feet of liquor stores. Local governments can set time/place rules but cannot block licenses that meet these state standards.

Establishes an LGBTQ+ youth and young adult suicide prevention task force; provides for the number of members, manner of appointment and the topics to be reviewed.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New York Ireland Trade Commission within the Department of State to strengthen economic ties between New York and Ireland. The commission, composed of 15 members (including Senate/Assembly appointees and governor-appointed members with specific representation from Irish American communities, higher education, and business), will focus on advancing bilateral trade, investment, and academic exchanges. It requires the commission to report annually to the governor and legislature with findings and recommendations, but does not create new taxes, regulations, or direct financial obligations. The bill is procedural in nature, creating a body to facilitate existing trade relationships rather than implementing new policy.

Maddy summaryThis New York bill (A 9185) amends criminal law to explicitly include AI-generated communications in the definition of "falsely reporting an incident in the third degree." It directly affects individuals who knowingly use artificial intelligence (including generative AI) to create false reports about crimes, emergencies, or child abuse incidents - such as fabricating emergency alerts or fake abuse reports via AI tools. The law expands existing penalties (class A misdemeanor) to cover these AI-facilitated false reports to authorities or the public, ensuring that AI-generated misinformation about emergencies or safety threats is treated the same as human-created false reports. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Provides for the regulation of indoor and outdoor worksites with temperature protection standards and education, training and reporting requirements to ensure that employers provide safe conditions for their employees.