Asm. Phil Steck

Maddy summaryBill A 8499 establishes new eligibility criteria for performance of duty disability retirement for certain New York City Transit Authority employees. It specifically applies to members of the New York City Employees' Retirement System who participated in World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations. If these members become physically or mentally incapacitated due to an injury from their World Trade Center duties, they would receive a disability retirement allowance equal to three-quarters of their final average salary. The bill also allows these members to use a specific medical review procedure for their pension applications.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires judges to issue decisions on motions and non-jury verdicts within nine months of full submission by parties. Failure to meet this deadline is defined as misconduct, triggering referral to a disciplinary commission. Judges who miss deadlines more than five times or fail to decide within two years face removal from office, with exceptions for extraordinary circumstances or case transfers. The law applies directly to judges handling these types of cases and takes effect January 1, 2027. Current unresolved cases have six months to comply before penalties apply.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a licensing system for genetic counselors and creates a State Board for Genetic Counseling. To practice, genetic counselors must obtain a license by meeting requirements including a master's degree in genetic counseling, passing an exam, and having relevant experience. The law defines genetic counseling as providing information about genetic risks and testing but explicitly prohibits counselors from diagnosing conditions, prescribing medication, or performing medical procedures. The State Board, composed of five licensed genetic counselors, one physician, and one public representative, will oversee licensing, professional conduct, and set standards for the profession.

Exempts services provided to board an animal when rendered by a veterinarian licensed and registered as required by the education law or by a commercial horse boarding operation from sales and use taxes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires housing companies to clearly disclose any charges for installing, removing, or using an air conditioning unit to residents before assessing fees. It mandates that usage charges begin when the unit is installed and end when it's removed, with partial charges calculated on a daily basis. The law directly affects tenants in housing developments where AC units are provided or managed by the property company. It aims to increase transparency in billing for AC services by eliminating hidden fees and ensuring fair, pro-rated charges for partial usage periods.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax exemption for sales and installation of geothermal heat pump systems in both residential and commercial buildings. It exempts from sales tax the equipment and installation services for systems that use ground or groundwater for heating, cooling, and hot water - excluding recreational facilities. The exemption applies to residential systems (defined in new paragraph 47) and commercial systems (defined in new subdivision mm) under New York's tax law. Local governments may choose whether to apply these exemptions, as the bill modifies existing tax code provisions to include them.

Expands the health department's review of correctional health services by including a biennial study of health care staffing at facilities operated by the department of corrections and community supervision.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows officers from organizations that prevent cruelty to animals (society for the prevention of cruelty to animals officers) to use live scan fingerprinting systems immediately after making an arrest. It directly affects these officers by granting them independent access to fingerprint technology without requiring other law enforcement personnel. The key provision amends criminal procedure law to mandate that these officers may complete fingerprinting independently following an arrest. This streamlines their process for finalizing arrests and reduces reliance on external police assistance.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new licensing requirement for organizations that manage payments for personal care services (fiscal intermediaries), effective April 1, 2027. It requires these entities to apply for a license, submit annual reports on costs and service details, and register personal assistants in a confidential state registry. The law directly affects fiscal intermediaries currently contracting with social services departments or health plans, mandating they meet specific standards for compliance, cultural competency, and financial reporting. It repeals outdated provisions while establishing new oversight mechanisms to ensure transparency in how funds for personal care services are managed.

Secures the continued validity of collective bargaining agreements during and after a change in operator or ownership of a property, facility, or company.