Establishes a direct support professional worker registry of persons who have successfully completed a direct support professional worker education or training program approved by the commissioner of mental health.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates New York's mental hygiene law to establish a detailed legal definition of "autism," specifically covering five recognized conditions: autistic disorder, Asperger's disorder, atypical autism (pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified), Rett's disorder, and childhood disintegrative disorder. Each condition is defined by clear, specific criteria related to social interaction, communication challenges, repetitive behaviors, and early developmental milestones. This definition will directly affect individuals seeking mental health services under the law, ensuring consistent eligibility for state-supported care by replacing older, less precise language. The change aims to standardize how autism is recognized in legal and medical contexts without altering existing service requirements.
Relates to the production of and the assessment of a surcharge for distinctive "Feeling Rural Good" license plates; establishes the feeling rural good health care fund; provides that funds deposited into the feeling rural good health care fund shall be used in rural regions of the state to expand school-based health programs, improve access to health research and education, and expand broadband access for improved access to telehealth.
Directs the commissioner of education, in conjunction with the superintendent of state police and the commissioner of the division of homeland security and emergency services, to establish standards for the security and safety of school grounds.
Maddy summaryBill A 4015 seeks to increase the financial penalties for certain speeding violations, directly affecting drivers convicted of these offenses. It raises the maximum fine for exceeding the speed limit by up to ten miles per hour, from $150 to $175. For drivers caught speeding more than thirty miles per hour over the limit, the maximum fine increases from $600 to $700. These revised penalties will apply to violations occurring on or after January 1, 2026.
Designates crimes of manslaughter as class A-1 felonies when a defendant recklessly or with the intent to cause physical injury causes the death of a child.
Designates all agents employed by the city of New York police department in the titles of traffic enforcement agent I and traffic enforcement agent II as peace officers.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows towns in counties with fewer than 55,000 residents - provided they already have an approved agricultural protection plan - to pause the annexation of agricultural land larger than 200 acres for industrial development for up to one year. The moratorium gives these localities time to update their agricultural protection plans. It directly affects small-town governments in counties with existing farmland protection strategies and landowners with large agricultural parcels. The provision applies only to land designated for industrial use, not other developments.
Requires school bus drivers and attendants who ride with children attending preschool special education programs to complete training in the needs of such children.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's Social Services Law to allow licensed creative arts therapists to bill Medicaid directly for their services, rather than requiring them to work through another provider. It specifically adds creative arts therapists to the list of mental health professionals (including mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists) already permitted to bill Medicaid for covered services within their scope of practice. The change applies only to services Medicaid already covers, and does not alter the therapists' existing scope of practice. The bill was referred to the Health committee on February 20, 2025.
