Asm. Marianne Buttenschon

Maddy summaryThis bill adds comprehensive neuropsychological exams for dyslexia to New York's Medicaid coverage. It directly affects Medicaid recipients who need these evaluations for dyslexia diagnosis, requiring a physician referral. The exam must be performed by a licensed health professional authorized under New York's education law, acting within their scope. The bill explicitly states this coverage does not replace or affect existing Medicaid coverage for medical screenings, diagnoses, or treatments.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 13 as "K9 Veterans Day" in New York State, adding it to the official list of commemorative days in the executive law. It formally recognizes the service of K9 units and their handlers without creating new programs, funding, or policy changes. The designation applies annually and aligns with other state-recognized observances.

Establishes a high school robotics grant program; provides funding to high schools for participation in robotics competitions; sets forth eligibility requirements; provides for the application and awards process.

Establishes masked harassment when a person wears a mask or other face covering that intentionally hides or conceals their face for the primary purpose of menacing or threatening another person or placing another person or group of persons in reasonable fear for their physical safety.

Maddy summaryBill A 5187 expands the definition of hate crimes to include offenses committed against law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel. It amends existing law to classify an offense as a hate crime if the perpetrator intentionally targets an individual based on their actual or perceived employment in these roles. This means that crimes motivated by bias against these public safety workers could be prosecuted as hate crimes. The bill also provides specific definitions for who qualifies as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or emergency medical services personnel.

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.

Includes all hate crimes as a qualifying offense for the purposes of a court's determination to release the principal pending trial on the principal's own recognizance or under non-monetary conditions, fix bail, or, where the defendant is charged with a qualifying offense which is a felony, the court may commit the principal to the custody of the sheriff.

Authorizes the imposition of bail for certain felony offenses involving the manufacture, sale, distribution, or possession with intent to sell synthetic opioids.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands tax exemptions for new farm buildings to include structures used for on-farm retail sales of agricultural products like produce, honey, or maple syrup. Previously excluded, these retail buildings (e.g., farm stands or on-site sales areas) now qualify for the same tax exemption as other farm structures used for production or storage. The change directly benefits farmers who sell directly to consumers from their properties, reducing their property tax burden for qualifying retail facilities. The exemption applies to buildings used exclusively for selling farm-grown commodities, not for general retail operations.