Asm. Phil Steck

Maddy summaryBill A1214 prohibits New York employers from requiring job applicants or employees to waive legal rights (such as claims under state or federal law) as a condition of employment. It directly affects all employers and job seekers in New York State by banning pre-employment agreements that diminish rights like wage claims or discrimination protections. The law specifically excludes collective bargaining agreements with labor unions. This creates a clear legal requirement that employers cannot force individuals to give up existing or future legal claims to secure a job. The bill takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Relates to the construction of facilities for chemical dependence services that promote the privacy of individuals while bathing, sleeping, using restrooms and receiving individual counseling services, while also allowing for maximization of the use of such facility.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a certification program for employers to become "recovery ready workplaces" (RRWs), directly affecting employers across all industries and their employees with substance use disorders (SUDs). To earn certification, employers must implement specific measures including onsite naloxone availability, mandatory training for supervisors on SUDs and prevention, workplace stress reduction strategies, and comprehensive health coverage for SUD treatment equal to physical health care. The program requires collaboration with unions and recovery organizations, along with policies ensuring confidentiality and reasonable accommodations for employees in recovery. Certification criteria also mandate connecting with local recovery resources and assessing workplace culture to support employees seeking treatment.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that the opioid settlement fund must include interest earned on settlement money, not just the principal amount. It amends state law to explicitly state that all funds in the opioid settlement account consist of settlement payments *and* any interest accrued on those payments. The change directly affects how the state manages and tracks money from the statewide opioid settlement agreement, ensuring interest is included in the fund's total. The bill makes no new policy changes but updates the legal definition of the fund's composition.

Requires gas corporations to file maps with the public service commission annually to assess leak-prone gas infrastructure and the decommissioning of such leak-prone gas lines; requires the public service commission to publish such maps and certain accompanying documents on the commission's website; directs the public service commission to designate neighborhood priority decarbonization zones.

Relates to the distribution of educational materials regarding the misuse of and addiction to prescription drugs in counties with the most prevalent prescription substance use disorder.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires towns and villages to adopt a local law if they want to mandate that their justices (who handle minor civil and criminal cases) must be licensed attorneys admitted to practice law in New York. It does not impose this requirement statewide; instead, it allows each town or village to decide by majority vote of its governing body whether to adopt the requirement. If adopted, the change would take effect at the start of the next judicial term following the election after the local law is passed. The bill sets a clear, concrete policy change for local justice eligibility but leaves implementation entirely to individual municipalities.

Requires a rate enhancement for reimbursement of individual psychotherapy services provided by a mental health counselor, a clinical social worker, or a psychologist where such services are provided in an outpatient substance use disorder clinic.

Requires the commissioner of the office of addiction services and supports to require mental health evaluations for participants in substance use disorder treatment programs and to promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate such requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new pathway for foreign-trained dentists to obtain a New York license. It allows dentists licensed outside the U.S. (who can't qualify for licensure by endorsement) to receive a limited permit to practice under supervision in federally qualified health centers serving underserved populations, provided they have at least five years of dental experience. After completing five years of practice under this limited permit, they may apply for full licensure. The permit is valid for one year (renewable annually during a residency or preceptorship) and requires passing a competency exam. This directly affects international dentists seeking to practice in New York, particularly in areas with dental health shortages.