Asm. Gabriella Romero

Ensures that public retirees are not having their skilled nursing care benefits reduced under the state health benefit plan at the time they enroll for medicare.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 6429) amends New York's penal law to remove an exception for second felony drug offenders. Specifically, it deletes language that previously allowed some second-time drug offenders (whose prior felony wasn't violent) to avoid mandatory sentencing. The bill repeals a related subdivision (Subdivision 4 of Section 70.70) and updates definitions in the criminal procedure law regarding prior convictions. These changes apply immediately to cases where sentencing occurs after the effective date, affecting second felony drug offenders who would no longer qualify for the removed exception.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state, county, and local transportation agencies to design all publicly funded road projects - including construction, reconstruction, and major maintenance - to safely accommodate all users (drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders) through "complete street" principles. It applies to projects receiving both federal and state funding under transportation department oversight, excluding routine resurfacing but including projects with a 10+ year lifespan. The law mandates agencies consider factors like traffic volume, population density, and community input when planning, rather than automatically prioritizing vehicles. It does not change existing project approvals but sets new standards for how projects must be designed.

Maddy summaryBill A 8191 establishes a gender affirming care program within the Department of Health to ensure the continuity of these services in the state. This program aims to provide funding and resources to healthcare providers to facilitate access for individuals whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth. The bill defines gender affirming care to include a range of social, psychological, behavioral, medical, and surgical interventions. Funding for the program will be appropriated by the legislature, with a minimum amount set and annual increases tied to the consumer price index. The Department of Health is tasked with creating regulations and consulting experts to implement the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill, "Fair Court of Appeals Access Act," changes how criminal defendants request permission to appeal to the Court of Appeals. It requires all applications for leave to appeal from intermediate appellate court orders to be submitted directly to the full Court of Appeals (not to individual judges or justices), applying to all criminal appeals filed after the law's effective date. Key provisions include mandating written submissions to the Court of Appeals clerk (with the chief judge designating a judge to review), replacing current options where some applications could go to appellate division justices, and requiring immediate filing of all decisions. This directly affects criminal defendants seeking higher court review of lower court rulings.

Requires child protective services to orally and in writing disclose certain information to parents and caretakers who are the subject of a child protective services investigation; requires such oral and written disclosure to contain certain information regarding the rights of the person under investigation.

Creates statewide emergency and crisis response council to work in conjunction with the commissioners of mental health and addiction services to jointly approve emergency and crisis services plans submitted by local governments, and provide supports regarding the operation and financing of high-quality emergency and crisis services provided to persons experiencing a mental health, alcohol use, or substance use crisis.

Prohibits immigration enforcement in school settings; prohibits all public and charter schools from allowing law enforcement officials inside school property to access a student, except to address an imminent safety situation or if they have an appropriate judicial warrant or judicial order.

Establishes the "earned time act" providing for time allowances against the term or maximum term of sentences imposed by the court to be credited on an annual pro rata basis.

Directs empire state development, in conjunction with the office of general services, to create a plan to develop mixed-use commercial and residential property on a certain portion of the Harriman campus; directs such plan to be completed and made available for public comment no later than 180 days after the effective date; directs empire state development, in conjunction with the office of general services, to create a master plan for the redesign of the Harriman campus; directs that such plan be completed and made available for public comment no later than one year after the effective date.