Asm. Marianne Buttenschon

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's bail laws to include drug offenses, domestic violence crimes, and offenses causing death or serious physical injury as "qualifying offenses" that may trigger stricter bail conditions. It directly affects defendants charged with these specific crimes, requiring courts to consider them when deciding whether to release someone on their own recognizance, set bail, or impose custody. Key provisions add new categories to existing bail rules, including "aggravated family offenses" (covering domestic violence) and class B-D felonies under Article 220 of the Penal Law. The law maintains existing exceptions, such as releasing defendants for negligible property theft not linked to broader criminal activity.

Requires notification to insureds that an out-of-network physician may be used in their procedure, test or surgery and such physician's services shall not be covered by their insurance policy; provides such services must be covered if the insured person does not receive notification prior to such services or procedure.

Enacts the lift our communities advertise locally (LOCAL) program which provides a tax credit on advertising for locally owned minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises, certified service-disabled veteran-owned business enterprises or a small business.

Requires that any rules or regulations related to hydrofluorocarbon substances conform with, and shall not exceed, any applicable rules and regulations set by the United States environmental protection agency.

Requires manufacturers of kratom products within the state to have a warning label that the product has not been approved by the federal food and drug administration and the products' side effects; prohibits labeling of kratom products as all natural.

Requires the department of veterans' services to provide information on the department's website on volunteer opportunities available to veterans and to post relevant application forms that a qualified veteran can use to apply for volunteer opportunities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2177) removes the cost of emergency medical services (EMS) from the property tax levy limit that local governments (like cities and towns) must follow. It directly affects municipalities that fund EMS services, allowing them to cover these costs without triggering the tax cap. The key change adds a specific exemption in law, so EMS expenditures no longer count toward the maximum tax levy allowed under current rules. This provides local governments with more budget flexibility for essential emergency response services.

Enacts the consumer litigation funding act to promote consumer protections related to consumer litigation funding transactions; provides for contract requirements, including that the contract contain a no penalty provision for the prepayment of the funded amount prior to the settlement of their case; makes related provisions.

Establishes the "recovery ready workplace act" which provides for the certification of an employer to become a recovery ready workplace; defines terms; establishes the recovery-ready workplace program; provides criteria for employers to obtain certification as a recovery ready workplace; provides for employee involvement.

Enacts the "Lieutenant Joseph Banish mental health act" which establishes a law enforcement peer support program to provide confidentiality for communications arising out of law enforcement peer support counseling; defines terms; provides exceptions for when a peer support communication may be disclosed.