Asm. Phil Steck

Directs the state comptroller to conduct an audit of the department of health and other agencies to ensure that the agency meets its responsibilities to review and assess Medicaid managed care organizations for compliance with federal and state requirements to maintain adequate health care providers within network, and to meet mental health and substance use disorder parity requirements.

Creates the health insurance guaranty fund to protect covered individuals against the failure or inability of a health insurer to perform its contractual obligations due to financial impairment or insolvency.

Expands eligibility for the low interest rate program of the state of New York mortgage agency to certain graduates of post secondary programs or comparable apprenticeship and workforce training programs for the purchase of certain property.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 4742) allows either an injured worker or an employer to request a hearing in a workers' compensation claim. It requires the board to schedule such hearings within 45 days of the request, without imposing limits, fees, or penalties on either party. The bill also mandates that the board keep accurate records of all hearings and imposes penalties ($25 to a fund + $75 to the worker) if employers delay proceedings through tactics like failing to appear or produce evidence. It directly affects workers seeking compensation and employers facing claims.

Provides that for a substance use disorder outpatient treatment episode of care by a provider licensed, certified or otherwise authorized by the office of addiction services and supports, an insured shall only be responsible for a cost sharing fee not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts the location of new cannabis retail stores and on-site consumption facilities. It prohibits new licenses for storefronts within 500 feet of school grounds (including all entrances/exits in mixed-use buildings) and within 200 feet of houses of worship (including all entrances/exits in mixed-use buildings). These rules apply only to new licenses issued after the bill's effective date. The law directly affects cannabis businesses seeking to open new locations in the state.

Prohibits broad indemnification by a design professional of a state or local agency or political subdivision involving public work for contracts except to the extent that damages were caused by or the proximate result of the negligence, recklessness, or willful misconduct of the design professional.

Prohibits mobile sports wagering operators from enabling or otherwise permitting authorized sports bettors to deposit or withdraw funds to or from their account through gift certificates, open loop gift certificates, or e-wallets.

Prohibits police officers from using bias-based profiling; requires that a procedure be established for the taking and review of complaints against police officers for bias-based profiling; allows an action for injunctive relief and/or damages to be brought against a law enforcement agency, any agent of a law enforcement agency and the supervisor of an agent.

Prohibits single-agent dual agency; requires representation agreements; allows broker's fee negotiations; prohibits mandatory broker's fees in residential real property transactions.