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.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates how the state calculates payment rates for federally qualified health centers to better reflect their actual operating costs. It requires the health department to analyze cost data from the previous five years, taking into account factors like the scope of services, staffing needs, and technology expenses. Starting in April 2025, the department must issue new payment rates based on this analysis, explicitly removing previous caps on payments as long as they remain eligible for federal funding. The law also changes how future rate adjustments are made, shifting from a standard Medicare index to a specific market basket measure for periods after September 2025.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a real property tax exemption for the primary homes of widows and widowers whose spouses were police officers killed in the line of duty. To qualify, the surviving spouse must own the property, and the local government where the home is located must first approve the exemption after holding a public hearing. The law also clarifies how the exemption applies to properties held in trust or within cooperative apartment buildings, while excluding certain types of housing finance arrangements. Additionally, the bill requires state officials to create a list of documents that prove eligibility, which will be shared with local tax assessors.
Maddy summaryThis bill grants peace officer status to uniformed court officers working at the town court in Montgomery. By amending the state's criminal procedure law, the legislation officially recognizes these employees as peace officers, which typically expands their legal authority and duties compared to non-sworn staff. The measure includes a specific provision stating that these officers may only carry firearms if they have obtained the required license under existing penal laws. This change affects only the specific employees of the Montgomery town court and does not alter the status of court officers in other locations.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special optional retirement plan specifically for state correction officers in New York. Under the new rules, eligible officers can choose to retire after completing twenty years of service or upon reaching age sixty-two, whichever comes first. Those who retire after twenty years would receive a pension equal to one-fortieth of their final average salary for each year of service, capped at half their final salary, while those retiring at age sixty-two without twenty years of service would also receive an additional pension benefit. The state would fund these increased benefits through extra contributions calculated by the retirement system actuary and included in the annual state budget.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires students under 21 who are found using or possessing electronic cigarettes or vaping products in school to attend a mandatory prevention program. The law also mandates that their parents or guardians be notified and required to attend the same session. The program, developed by the Department of Health in collaboration with the Department of Education, aims to educate students, parents, and school staff about the health risks of vaping and includes age-appropriate instructional materials.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Civil Service Law to remove the maximum age limit of 35 for hiring municipal police officers. It allows individuals older than 35 to apply for police positions, provided they meet other merit and fitness requirements. The change also extends the maximum hiring age to 39 for certain situations where eligible lists are exhausted and no other candidates are available. Additionally, the legislation includes specific exceptions for applicants with up to six years of military service and those with prior employment at the Buffalo municipal housing authority. The new rules would take effect approximately 180 days after the bill becomes law.
Directs the commissioner of health and the commissioner of the office for people with developmental disabilities to conduct a study of the delivery of services to individuals with traumatic brain injury.
Relates to requiring telephones capable of making local and long-distance telephone calls be in every nursing home patient's room, either at such patient's bedside or in the patient's room depending on the patient's mobility.
Prohibits vaping in educational institutions; requires educational institutions to educate communities about health risks associated with vaping and post no-vaping signage on educational institution premises.
