Asm. Jen Lunsford

Maddy summaryThis bill updates caregiver-to-child ratios for day care homes in New York. It requires one caregiver for every two children under eighteen months of age in both group family day care homes (serving 7-12 children) and family day care homes (serving 3-6 children). The change replaces the previous "two years" requirement with "eighteen months," tightening standards for infant supervision. These provisions directly affect day care providers operating under these specific home-based care models.

Relates to eligibility for classification as permanent total disability; includes inability to perform the full range of sedentary work or approval for federal social security disability benefits as a result of a compensable accident or occupational disease as constituting permanent total disability.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 7235) requires New York state agencies with over $10 million in annual construction/service contracts to establish voluntary mentorship programs connecting minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) with established contractors. It mandates that these programs focus on practical business development to help MWBEs compete for state contracts and subcontracts, particularly when there's an existing contractual relationship ("privity of contract") between the MWBE and a contractor on a state project. The bill updates existing laws to ensure mentorship opportunities are structured around commercially useful connections and provides technical assistance for MWBEs to secure necessary bonds. It directly affects MWBEs seeking state contracting opportunities and state agencies managing public works contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Center for Dyslexia and Dysgraphia within the state Department of Education. The center will define these learning differences, create a public guidebook for schools, set evidence-based screening standards for all K-5 students (and at-risk new students), and develop teacher training requirements. It directly affects schools, educators, and students with dyslexia or dysgraphia by mandating universal screenings, standardized interventions, and updated professional resources. The center must issue a biennial report on implementation progress and update the guidebook every five years after public review.

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.

Relates to employment of persons and veterans with disabilities by the state; provides up to five thousand positions may be filled by persons with a physical or mental disability and up to two thousand positions may be filled by disabled veterans and veterans with disabilities.

Prohibits the use of drilling fluids, brine and flowback water from gas or oil wells, pools, or fields on any highway for any purpose including but not limited to de-icing or dust suppression.

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.

Requires that health insurance policies shall provide coverage for follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer; provides that no patient cost sharing shall be imposed for follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most health insurance plans in New York to cover one rescue inhaler and one maintenance inhaler for asthma treatment at no cost to the patient. It applies to all medical, major medical, and comprehensive health insurance policies that cover prescription drugs, directly affecting asthma patients who rely on these medications. Insurers must provide this coverage without deductibles, copayments, or other cost-sharing, with a narrow exception only for high-deductible plans that would otherwise disqualify patients from health savings accounts. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, for all new or renewed policies.