Asm. John McDonald

Maddy summaryThis bill formally commends the Town of Waterford for hosting its 25th Annual Tugboat Roundup, an event scheduled for September 6-8, 2024. The resolution recognizes the town's maritime heritage and the community's efforts to celebrate the history of tugboats and the New York State Canal System. It does not create new laws or change policies but serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of the event's significance to the region. A copy of this commendation will be sent to the Town of Waterford.

Directs the independent developmental disability ombudsman program to establish a service delivery structure based in New York state that includes a toll-free telephone hotline, an interactive website, and availability of in-person, telephone and email access to ombudsman program staff or volunteers; to provide assistance for navigating and completing processes; to assist individuals in filing and preparing appeals; to assist individuals with any problems encountered; and to educate individuals on their rights and responsibilities with respect to access to services provided by the office for people with developmental disabilities and care coordination provided by health homes serving individuals with developmental disabilities or services provided by other providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies the valid reasons for requesting an absentee ballot in school district elections where voters do not register at a polling place. It updates the list of qualifying circumstances to include being absent from the county of residence, having a health condition or disability, caring for someone who is ill or disabled, residing in a veteran's hospital, or being detained in jail or prison. The legislation also specifies the exact information applicants must provide on their forms, such as their personal details, a statement of their expected absence, and specific dates if the absence covers multiple elections. These changes aim to streamline the process for eligible voters while maintaining clear guidelines for school district officials handling ballot applications.

Relates to the application of certain provisions relating to the operating component of rates of payment made by governmental agencies for facilities that provide extensive nursing, medical, psychological and counseling support services solely to children.

Amends the eligibility criteria for game development companies by changing the yearly timeframe structure, lowering the dollar threshold per production, and removing the in-state cost incurred threshold to accurately fit current digital gaming industry models.

Provides that health care plan participation by physicians shall be reported, for purposes of physician profiles, by the health care plans; requires physicians to periodically submit information for his or her physician profile within 6 months of his or her triennial re-registration to practice; authorizes physicians to designate a designee to submit his or her information for the physician profile.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution introduced to honor and mourn the death of Casey Frankoski, a Chief Warrant Officer 2 in the New York Army National Guard who passed away in March 2024. It acknowledges her service, including her time as a helicopter pilot deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border, and recognizes her contributions to her community as a volunteer firefighter and member of the American Legion. The resolution formally pauses legislative proceedings to pay tribute to her life and directs that a copy of the document be sent to her family.

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.

Establishes a state Parkinson's disease registry; directs certain health professionals and general hospitals to report instances of Parkinson's disease and Parkinsonisms to the department of health; directs the department of health to create and manage the Parkinson's disease registry; makes related provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates how the state calculates payment rates for federally qualified health centers to better reflect their actual operating costs. It requires the health department to analyze cost data from the previous five years, taking into account factors like the scope of services, staffing needs, and technology expenses. Starting in April 2025, the department must issue new payment rates based on this analysis, explicitly removing previous caps on payments as long as they remain eligible for federal funding. The law also changes how future rate adjustments are made, shifting from a standard Medicare index to a specific market basket measure for periods after September 2025.