Asm. Kwani O'Pharrow

Relates to procedures relating to driving while ability impaired by drugs; defines impairment and intoxication; updates procedures for field testing of drivers suspected of being under the influence of drugs to include the use of oral/bodily fluid tests; provides that refusal to submit to such field tests is specified to be a traffic infraction; makes related provisions.

Relates to presumptions for the death of an injured worker due to opioid overdose where that injured worker was prescribed opioids as a result of such injured worker's workplace injury.

Requires certain data in reports by the commissioner of the office of temporary and disability assistance for the "COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program of 2021"; requires the inclusion of the breakdown of applications for each zip code including the total number of approved applications; the total number of denied applications; the total number of incomplete applications; and the total number of applications that are awaiting processing or are pending in such report; provides for application information that may be tracked.

Relates to establishing integrated community mental health clinics to provide services to address mental health issues, anger management issues, substance abuse issues and isolation issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how parking violation notices are handled in New York. It requires hearing examiners to provide written decisions explaining the legal basis for each ticket's outcome (guilty or not guilty) and gives drivers the option to request a hearing for each individual ticket. The bill also mandates that the state surcharge must be paid unless a hearing officer dismisses the ticket based on specific merits presented by the driver. These changes aim to increase transparency and fairness for drivers contesting parking violations.

Increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for certain behavioral health services provided to individuals under the age of twenty-one; directs that funds in the healthcare stability fund can be used for the funding of children's behavioral health outpatient rate increases.

Authorizes school districts to enter into a lease outside of such school district when it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the commissioner of education that extenuating circumstances exist which necessitate a lease outside of the school district.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows hearing aid dispensers and home inspectors to complete their required continuing education courses online, rather than only in person. Specifically, it amends licensing laws to permit online course completion for license renewal, provided the courses are approved by the relevant state secretary (e.g., the Secretary of State for business licenses). The change applies to the 20 continuing education credits needed annually for both professions, with the secretary retaining authority to set approval standards for online formats. This updates existing rules to align with modern training methods while maintaining oversight of course quality.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a licensing requirement for businesses offering certain small commercial financing products to New York-based businesses. It requires a license to provide loans, factoring, or leasing under $500,000 to businesses, directly affecting non-bank lenders and finance companies. Key provisions include an application process with financial solvency requirements, a $50,000 liquid asset minimum per location, and exemptions for banks, credit unions, and entities making five or fewer transactions annually. The bill also outlines penalties for operating without a license and defines prohibited practices.

Establishes the independent office of the child advocate to ensure the protection and promotion of the rights of children in the care of any state agency or local social services district.