Asm. John McDonald

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2444) exempts toothpaste, toothbrushes, and dental floss from state sales tax. It directly affects consumers who purchase these specific oral hygiene products, as they would no longer pay sales tax on them. The law adds these items to the existing list of tax-exempt products under the tax code. The exemption would take effect 90 days after the bill becomes law.

Relates to the right to unemployment benefits based on employment with certain educational institutions, including the state university of New York, the city university of New York and public community colleges; clarifies the meaning of certain terms relating to such rights to unemployment benefits.

Enacts the "media literacy act"; requires teachers and library media specialists to complete professional development related to media literacy education; requires a school library media specialist in each elementary, intermediate, middle, junior high and senior high school; directs the commissioner of education to appoint a media literacy advisory committee to study the teaching of media literacy; creates a media literacy advisory committee to annually review policy and procedures on media literacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends New York's historic homeownership rehabilitation tax credit window through 2025, allowing homeowners to claim up to $50,000 in credits for rehabbing qualified historic homes during tax years before 2025, and $25,000 for years starting in 2025. It directly affects homeowners who rehabilitate historic properties, requiring them to meet specific criteria like exterior rehabilitation costs and excluding pre-2007 work. The bill adds mandatory annual reporting requirements, mandating the state commissioner to publicly share detailed data on credit usage - including project locations, housing units before/after rehab, and credit values - by November 1 each year. These reports must be submitted to state leadership and made available online. The changes take effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2025.

Establishes through the department of health a drug checking services program to allow individuals to bring drugs or controlled substances and have them tested for contaminants, toxic substances, or hazardous compounds; requires the department to establish public health surveillance of the unregulated drug supply; provides exemptions for participants in the drug checking program from certain controlled substance offenses.

Permits dentists to administer influenza and COVID vaccinations and vaccinations related to a declared public health emergency; requires dentists to report such vaccinations.

Relates to allowing for students in certain postsecondary education experience or transition programs to receive awards from the tuition assistance program.

Expands pharmacy benefit management services to include the management or administration of benefits relating to durable medical equipment; defines "durable medical equipment"; relates to pharmacy or durable medical equipment provider audits by pharmacy benefit managers.

Maddy summaryBill A 2697 requires public school students participating in interscholastic athletics to provide a yearly cardiac fitness certificate. This applies to students in seventh grade or those who will turn thirteen during the school year. The certificate must be signed by a licensed medical professional and include the results of an electrocardiogram or echocardiogram. It must also describe the student's cardiac fitness and state if any heart conditions could lead to severe adverse health outcomes during athletic activity.

Requires the preparation and dissemination of written materials regarding child access prevention and the safe storage of firearms; establishes such information shall be provided to students and/or persons in a parental relationship to such students at the beginning of each semester or quarter of the regular school year beginning on and after July 1, 2026.