Asm. Marianne Buttenschon

Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 21st each year as "Down Syndrome Awareness Day" in New York State. It adds this date to the state's official calendar of commemorative days, which already includes other observances like Holocaust Remembrance Day and Juneteenth. The bill does not create new policies or funding; it simply establishes a formal recognition day to raise awareness about Down syndrome. This designation affects all New York state entities and residents, encouraging official observances and educational efforts on that date.

Relates to benefits for police officers, correction officers, firefighters, and other emergency personnel diagnosed with PTSD by making their injury compensable if it cannot be shown, by a preponderance of evidence, that the PTSD was caused by factors unrelated to their occupation.

Establishes a correctional employee protective labor practices board to make recommendations regarding labor practices and working conditions for correctional employees, and institutional safety of both correctional employees and incarcerated individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits elected municipal officials (like mayors, council members, or county officials) from serving on most local government agencies or industrial development authorities. It repeals an existing law and replaces it with a rule stating that agency members cannot hold such elected offices, with two key exceptions: industrial development authorities that must include elected officials (like Troy's board, which requires two common council members) and authorities whose entire board consists of elected officials from the chartering municipality. The bill specifically amends sections governing the Troy and Auburn industrial development authorities to align with this new restriction, ensuring existing exceptions remain valid. This is a procedural change to clarify eligibility rules for agency membership.

Requires the office of mental health to create a mental health evaluation form to determine whether arrested individuals have the proper mental capacity to make decisions regarding their arrest; requires arrested individuals to be given such mental health evaluation form; directs that if an individual fails such mental health evaluation, a representative will be appointed for such individual regarding arrest proceedings.

Requires the office for people with developmental disabilities to create a staffing plan for workforce emergencies when experiencing staffing shortages.

Authorizes the issuance of distinctive legion of valor license plates for individuals who have received the army medal of honor, navy medal of honor, air force medal of honor, army distinguished service cross, navy cross, coast guard cross, or air force cross.

Maddy summaryThis New York bill sets a $200 standard deductible for auto insurance covering physical damage (like collision or theft), while allowing policyholders to choose lower deductibles of at least $50 for comprehensive/theft coverage and $100 for collision coverage (window glass coverage may have no deductible). Insurers may also offer zero or decreasing deductibles over time but must clearly explain how these affect policy costs, coverage, and potential changes. The bill prohibits insurers from raising both the premium and deductible for the same claim incident. It directly affects New York auto insurance policyholders and insurers operating under state insurance law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows licensed pharmacists in New York to order and administer specific diagnostic tests, directly affecting pharmacists and patients seeking convenient testing. It authorizes pharmacists to perform FDA-authorized tests for conditions like COVID-19, flu, RSV, strep throat, HbA1c, hepatitis C, and HIV. The law expands pharmacists' scope of practice to include these tests under federal "waiver" requirements, without requiring additional physician oversight. The provision expires on July 1, 2028, as noted in the bill's text.

Requires the cannabis control board to provide notice to state legislative representatives upon receipt of application for an adult-use cannabis retail dispensary or on-site consumption license in their district.