Asm. Phil Steck

Grants volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians academic credit at state operated institutions of the state university of New York and the senior colleges of the city university of New York to the extent of three academic credits per year, and 6 credits in the aggregate; provides that no fee, tuition or other charge shall be assessed against a volunteer firefighter or emergency medical technician who qualifies for such credit; directs the board of trustees of the state university and the city university of New York to adopt necessary procedures.

Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding; authorizes the department to compile and make publicly available guidance and reference material related to consideration of complete street design.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a committee to study whether New York should establish two programs: a kindergarten-to-college/career readiness initiative and a universal college savings account, specifically targeting low and moderate income families. The committee will examine existing programs in other states (like San Francisco and Ohio), review enrollment data, consult with financial institutions, and develop a funding proposal by November 2024. The bill itself does not fund or create these programs - only authorizes a feasibility study to inform future legislation. It is a procedural measure with no immediate policy changes.

Enacts provisions relating to collective negotiations by health care providers with certain health care plans in certain counties; applies to health benefit plans that provide benefits for medical or surgical expenses incurred as a result of a health condition, accident or sickness, including an individual, group, blanket or franchise insurance policy or insurance agreement offered by certain enumerated entities.

Provides that no corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, online platform, or any other business entity doing business in this state shall knowingly sell, offer for sale, or deliver medetomidine to individuals without proof of its intended use for institutional, veterinary, or scientific purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits food service businesses (like restaurants) and third-party delivery apps (like Uber Eats) from sending targeted push notifications or text messages to minors (under 18). It requires these platforms to verify a user's age by having them manually enter their birth date during account registration. If a user's birth date indicates they are a minor, the platform must not send any promotional or engagement-focused notifications designed to encourage app use. The law directly affects businesses and delivery services operating in New York, aiming to limit digital marketing to underage users.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New York pharmacists to administer FDA-approved progestin-only contraceptive injections for birth control, expanding access to contraception. Pharmacists must complete a patient risk assessment, provide educational materials, and notify a patient's primary care provider (with opt-out allowed) before administering the injection. They must also complete required training and may refuse service if safety concerns exist. The law directly affects patients seeking contraception - particularly those without regular doctors - and pharmacists who provide this service.

Directs the state comptroller to conduct an audit of the department of financial services to ensure the agency is meeting its responsibility to evaluate and assess insurer compliance with federal and state mental health and substance use disorder parity requirements.

Relates to returnable bottles; adds noncarbonated soft drinks, certain noncarbonated fruit or vegetable juices, coffee and tea beverages, carbonated fruit beverages and cider to the definition of "beverage"; provides that beginning April 1, 2027, the handling fee will be six cents for each beverage container accepted by a deposit initiator from a dealer or operator of a redemption center; directs the multi-agency bottle bill fraud investigation team to submit a report on findings of pervasive bottle redemption fraud in New York state.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it a felony to intentionally stage a construction site accident to file a fraudulent insurance claim. It directly affects individuals or groups who enter construction sites to fake injuries or damage with the specific intent of submitting a false insurance claim. The law criminalizes both personally staging such accidents and directing others to do so, treating it as a class E felony punishable by prison time. The key provision creates a new criminal offense specifically targeting insurance fraud at construction sites.