Asm. Angelo Santabarbara

Establishes a caregiver tax credit of up to six thousand dollars and a family caregiver reimbursement program to offset out-of-pocket spending by family caregivers.

Authorizes the New York state energy research and development authority to develop, implement, administer and operate a temporary middle income home energy assistance program; suspends certain taxes on home heating fuels; makes an appropriation therefor.

Permits the principal of any high school to allow any local fire department, upon request, to enter the school for the purpose of fire department junior recruitment, including, but not limited to: making presentations; disseminating literature; and answering questions by students.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires licensed check cashers to file suspicious activity reports (SARs), similar to banks. It directly affects businesses that cash checks for a fee, mandating them to report transactions that may indicate fraud or money laundering. The key mechanism is an amendment to banking law, directing the superintendent of banks to create rules requiring these SAR filings. The law specifies that check cashers must follow the same reporting standards applied to financial institutions. This change aims to strengthen oversight of check-cashing businesses under existing anti-money laundering frameworks.

Establishes a statewide person-centered mental health services work group to improve statewide mental health planning and outcomes to achieve a person-centered, prevention-first integrated and tiered system of care for holistic health and wellness.

Prohibits certain financial institutions from charging a fee for periodic paper statements when such statements are required for an application for public assistance.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new property tax exemption for veterans who are 100% disabled due to military service. It directly affects veterans with an honorable discharge, a VA-rated 100% service-connected disability, and who either receive VA benefits or use those benefits for housing modifications. The exemption applies to their primary residence, removing property taxes and related charges, while ensuring the exemption doesn't reduce tax assessments below zero. It does not replace existing veteran tax exemptions but adds this new benefit.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 6188) formally dedicates a specific bridge on I-88 in Rotterdam (where Becker Road crosses the interstate) to honor CW2 John M. Grassia III, a military veteran. The legislation requires the state transportation commissioner to install and maintain ceremonial signage stating "Bridge Dedicated to CW2 John M. Grassia III" on the bridge. Crucially, the bill clarifies this is purely symbolic and does not change the bridge's official name or affect highway operations. It has no policy impact beyond this commemorative naming. The bill passed the Assembly and was referred to the Senate on June 9, 2025.

Authorizes members or officers of the state police who were previously firefighters receive credit for such previous firefighter service for the purposes of retirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases short-term disability benefits for New York workers. It phases in higher weekly benefit rates (from 50% to 67% of average weekly wage) and extends maximum leave duration (from 8 to 12 weeks) over several years, starting in 2018. The changes apply to employees needing short-term disability leave due to illness or injury, directly affecting both workers and their employers who provide these benefits. The bill maintains a cap based on the state average weekly wage and allows the superintendent of financial services to delay increases if needed.