Asm. Al Stirpe

Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals who own or are suing over vacated properties to enter those sites to check for and remove abandoned pets. It also requires government housing departments to inspect abandoned dwellings for stray animals and report them to animal control or humane societies. The law clarifies that anyone who finds a pet during these inspections does not automatically become its owner. Additionally, the bill imposes fines on property owners who fail to inspect their abandoned homes for stray animals, with the collected money going to an animal population control fund.

Creates a special on-premises license for properties which are located within a designated industrial or economic zoning district, occupy not less than twenty thousand square feet of floor area, and are located at least 500 feet from a residential building.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a certification program for employers to become "recovery ready workplaces" (RRWs), directly affecting employers across all industries and their employees with substance use disorders (SUDs). To earn certification, employers must implement specific measures including onsite naloxone availability, mandatory training for supervisors on SUDs and prevention, workplace stress reduction strategies, and comprehensive health coverage for SUD treatment equal to physical health care. The program requires collaboration with unions and recovery organizations, along with policies ensuring confidentiality and reasonable accommodations for employees in recovery. Certification criteria also mandate connecting with local recovery resources and assessing workplace culture to support employees seeking treatment.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that the opioid settlement fund must include interest earned on settlement money, not just the principal amount. It amends state law to explicitly state that all funds in the opioid settlement account consist of settlement payments *and* any interest accrued on those payments. The change directly affects how the state manages and tracks money from the statewide opioid settlement agreement, ensuring interest is included in the fund's total. The bill makes no new policy changes but updates the legal definition of the fund's composition.

Relates to the distribution of educational materials regarding the misuse of and addiction to prescription drugs in counties with the most prevalent prescription substance use disorder.

Requires a rate enhancement for reimbursement of individual psychotherapy services provided by a mental health counselor, a clinical social worker, or a psychologist where such services are provided in an outpatient substance use disorder clinic.

Requires the commissioner of the office of addiction services and supports to require mental health evaluations for participants in substance use disorder treatment programs and to promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate such requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 9571) increases family leave benefits under New York's workers' compensation law, directly affecting eligible employees taking leave for medical care, bonding with a newborn, or military family exigencies. It gradually raises weekly benefit percentages (from 50% to 67% of average weekly wage) and extends maximum leave duration (from 8 to 12 weeks) over time, with specific phased-in dates starting in 2018. Covered employers must provide these enhanced benefits while maintaining health insurance coverage during leave. The changes apply to employees meeting eligibility criteria under the law, with the Superintendent of Financial Services retaining limited authority to delay increases.

Enacts "Tucker's law"; removes the provision that provides that any term of imprisonment for a violation of aggravated cruelty to animals may not exceed two years.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a "Small Business Environmental Fund" managed by New York State's urban development corporation to help small businesses obtain loans for pollution prevention and environmental compliance. The fund guarantees up to 90% of loans (capped at $500,000) from financial institutions, targeting businesses that struggle to secure traditional financing for pollution control equipment or compliance activities. It prioritizes small businesses in distressed areas, minority-owned, women-owned, or those complying with new federal/state environmental laws like the Clean Air Act. The fund uses state appropriations, loan fees, and federal funds to provide this credit support without requiring direct state lending.