Asm. Donna Lupardo

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 565) prohibits the establishment of new for-profit hospices and bans capacity increases for existing for-profit hospices. It applies to all approvals after the law takes effect, directly affecting for-profit hospice providers and their expansion plans. The law requires new hospice facilities to operate as non-profits and prevents existing for-profit hospices from growing their services. This represents a concrete change in healthcare regulation, restricting for-profit models in hospice care.

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.

Authorizes the department of transportation to establish and implement a state memorial sign program to memorialize persons who died due to injuries sustained in a fatal motor vehicle crash on state highways.

Provides for expanded non-medical in-home services, non-institutional respite services, case management services, and ancillary services without a prescription or physician's order; repeals certain cost sharing requirements for such services.

Prohibits the use of aversive conditioning which includes any procedure which causes obvious signs of physical pain, including but not limited to hitting, pinching and electric shock; prohibits the use of any procedure or punishment which denies a vulnerable person reasonable sleep, shelter, bedding, bathroom facilities and any other aspect expected of a humane existence; defines terms.

Maddy summaryBill A 54 prohibits the use of adhesive-based rodent traps, including glue traps and glue boards, in all state-owned or state-leased buildings. This means that state entities and those occupying state properties would be unable to use these specific trapping methods for rodent control. The prohibition would become effective one year after the bill is enacted into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows attendees at professional or collegiate sporting events to bring specific reusable beverage containers into sports venues. It defines "reusable containers" as aluminum or stainless steel bottles/cups designed for multiple uses and prohibits venues from banning them, while permitting three limited restrictions: containers must be empty upon entry, cannot have caps, and must hold 24 ounces or less. Venues violating the law face civil penalties of up to $500 for the first offense and $750 for repeat violations. The law directly affects sports venues and event attendees by changing beverage container policies at games and events.

Establishes a fiscal cliff task force to conduct a study on fiscal cliffs in the state's public assistance programs and to make recommendations related thereto.

Requires the commissioner of health to produce a report on the utilization and activity of the elderly pharmaceutical insurance coverage program, including future enrollment and program cost projections, and to publish such report and deliver the report to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, and the speaker of the assembly.

Provides that the thruway authority shall issue permits for ambulances and fire vehicles exempting such vehicles from paying tolls on the thruway when engaged in an emergency operation.