Asm. Ari Brown

Requires the commissioner of education, in conjunction with the commissioner of health and the commissioner of mental health, to develop model mental health screenings for students and associated guidelines to assist school mental health screeners to perform mental health screening services to identify concerns in students' mental health.

Provides that the comptroller shall examine and audit all state or federal funds appropriated or received for the humanitarian aid including short term shelter services to migrant individuals and families, including costs associated with humanitarian emergency response and relief centers for individuals entering short term shelter on or after April 1, 2024 in New York city or any other municipality in New York state.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new class A-1 felony offense for selling controlled substances (from Schedules I-V) that directly causes someone's death. It specifically applies to individuals who violate public health law by selling, giving, or supplying these drugs, resulting in a fatality. The key provision defines this as the most serious felony charge, replacing or adding to existing penalties for drug-related deaths. The law takes effect 30 days after enactment, with necessary rule changes allowed before that date. It does not affect other drug offenses or non-fatal cases.

Establishes a veterans in agriculture assistance and outreach program to help integrate veterans into the field of agriculture, and support veterans currently working in agriculture; designs an associated logotype for the promotion of products produced by a veteran or qualified veteran business entity.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 8971) creates a process to assess how New York schools teach Italian American heritage history. The state education commissioner must survey school districts on topics like which grades cover this history, curriculum used, and challenges faced. An advisory committee of appointed experts will then review the survey results and recommend improvements to K-12 curriculum and teaching resources. The committee must submit recommendations within two years and disband after that, with the entire process expiring three years after enactment. The bill directly affects school districts and state education officials, but does not mandate specific curriculum changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans to cover annual electrocardiogram (EKG) tests and their interpretation for children under 19 years old. It directly affects insured children and their families by mandating this specific preventive heart screening as part of standard pediatric care. The key provision adds EKG coverage as a required service at each well-child visit, with more frequent testing allowed if a physician orders it based on clinical judgment. This policy change ensures insurance coverage for this heart screening without requiring additional patient costs, applying to all policies issued after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax-advantaged savings program for farmers. It allows qualified farmers to deduct cash contributions to special "farm savings accounts" from their taxable income, with contributions limited to their farming income for the year. The accounts are tax-exempt while active, but funds withdrawn for non-farm purposes incur a 15% surcharge. Accounts automatically end if the farmer stops farming, requiring the balance to be taxed as income. The program directly affects individual farmers and farm businesses seeking tax benefits for farm sustainability investments.

Maddy summaryBill A 7407 permits public schools to utilize or display indigenous names for their extracurricular activities, such as sports teams. It defines "indigenous names" as those referring to indigenous persons, tribes, cultures, or traditions. The bill mandates the education commissioner to adopt regulations allowing this practice and to repeal any inconsistent rules. Notably, it does not prevent the commissioner from prohibiting public schools from using indigenous *logos or mascots*, distinct from names, except for classroom instruction.

Permits local boards of education to enter into contracts with a drive-sharing network of persons for reimbursement of transportation expenses for the conveyance of pupils residing in such school districts; authorizes the commissioner of education to promulgate any necessary rules and regulations; outlines certain requirements to which the local board of education shall adhere; makes related provisions.

Requires the state pay taxes on the assessed value of properties of closed state prisons until such prison is reopened, used by another state agency, or is conveyed to a non-governmental entity.