Asm. Angelo Santabarbara

Maddy summaryThis bill suspends all fees for REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses and non-driver ID cards until December 31, 2027. It also requires the state to refund fees paid since January 1, 2017, for these IDs. The policy directly affects New York residents who hold or renew REAL ID licenses, eliminating costs for applications, processing, and photos. The refund provision covers all fees paid for these IDs issued before their renewal period since 2017. The fee suspension ends automatically on January 1, 2028.

Increases the mandatory retirement age of members of the uniformed force of the fire department of the city of New York from sixty-five to sixty-seven.

Stabilizes electric costs for New York consumers; restricts unreasonable rate and fee increases; establishes additional auditing and enforcement authorities.

Extends the effectiveness of the requirement that upon the closure or transfer of a state-operated individualized residential alternative the commissioner of the office for people with developmental disabilities shall provide appropriate and timely notification to the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, and appropriate representatives of impacted labor organizations, and shall make reasonable efforts to inform the affected workforce, residents and family members of the proposed closure or transfer plan.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the expiration date of New York's care demonstration program for people with developmental disabilities from March 31, 2026, to March 31, 2028. It directly affects the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), which administers the program. The key provision changes the existing law's expiration date in Section 3 of Chapter 670 of the 2021 laws. The bill does not alter the program's structure or eligibility but provides additional time for its operation.

Relates to requiring Medicaid coverage of FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist medications for obesity, metabolic disorders, and autism-related compulsive eating behaviors.

Maddy summaryThis bill raises penalties for assaulting certain public safety personnel in New York. It specifically increases second-degree assault on police officers, peace officers, firefighters, EMTs, sanitation workers, and other essential service workers from a class D felony to a class C felony (up to 15 years in prison). The law expands protections to include these workers when they're performing official duties, such as a sanitation worker enforcing regulations or a firefighter providing medical aid. It also upgrades aggravated assault on officers to a class A felony (up to 25 years). The bill applies directly to individuals who cause physical injury to these protected personnel while they're carrying out their jobs.

Maddy summaryBill A 6586 requires health insurance plans and Medicaid to cover patient navigation services for individuals with serious conditions expected to last at least three months and at high risk of hospitalization, nursing home placement, or health decline. These services help connect patients to social supports like transportation, housing, food assistance, and healthcare appointments, and include referrals, enrollment help, and care coordination. Certified navigators (trained through approved programs) must provide these services under a healthcare provider's supervision. The law applies to all medical, major medical, and comprehensive insurance policies, ensuring coverage for high-risk patients who need help accessing care.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the mental hygiene law to add spina bifida to the list of conditions qualifying as a developmental disability. It directly affects individuals with spina bifida who may now qualify for services under existing developmental disability programs. The key change is simply adding "spina bifida" to the statutory list of qualifying conditions, which currently includes intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and others. No new programs or funding are created - this is a definitional update to align eligibility with current medical understanding. The bill passed committee referral and is now moving toward final legislative action.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 25-year retirement plan for firefighters employed by New York State's Division of Military and Naval Affairs, specifically airport firefighters (apprentice through level III) and training safety officers. Eligible members can retire after 25 years of creditable service - including prior work with organized fire departments and wartime service after World War I - receiving a pension equal to half their final average salary. Members must elect to join the plan within one year of the bill's effective date. The plan serves as an alternative to existing retirement options under state law.