Asm. Judy Griffin

Establishes the disability benefits maximization and assistance program to assist eligible state retirees in obtaining certain disability benefits; provides for the investing of any net savings realized by the program back into the New York state health insurance program for the purpose of eliminating or limiting the impact of any premium rate or other cost increases that would be the responsibility of an employee or retiree.

Creates a wholesale prescription drug importation program which complies with federal standards and regulations for the purpose of generating substantial savings for consumers.

Authorizes the justice center to create a central registry for employees for all current and prospective agencies, sponsoring agencies or other providers of services that are certified, authorized, approved or funded through contract by the office for people with developmental disabilities to streamline criminal background checks.

Maddy summaryBill A 5845 exempts specific New York City emergency medical technicians (EMTs), advanced EMTs, and fire protection inspectors from central business district tolls. It directly affects NYC employees in these roles working for the city or Fire Department, including their supervisors. The law amends Vehicle and Traffic Law to remove toll charges for these positions when traveling through the central business district. This change applies immediately upon enactment, as specified in the bill text.

Provides for loan forgiveness for social workers who commit to work in counties with less than two hundred thousand population, or towns which have a population of less than one hundred fifty persons per square mile for the duration of the award.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary task force to review why New York City disability retirees are excluded from the Variable Supplements Fund (VSF) program, which provides supplemental retirement payments to police and fire department members. The task force, appointed by the governor, legislative leaders, the mayor, and other officials, will investigate the issue through public hearings, gather evidence, and recommend changes within one year. It must report its findings to the governor, state comptroller, and legislative committees but does not directly alter the VSF program. The goal is to address longstanding eligibility concerns for disability retirees who have been largely excluded from receiving these supplements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers with 20 or more full-time permanent employees to create a written workplace violence prevention program. The program must include specific measures to address risks like abusive conduct and bullying, such as conflict resolution training and clear reporting systems. Employers must provide annual training to all employees on identifying, reporting, and preventing workplace bullying and abusive conduct, including how to use safety procedures and access the prevention program. It directly affects covered employers across New York State and applies to all workplace settings where such risks exist. The law mandates these changes to reduce incidents of workplace violence and improve employee safety.

Requires every sheriff, county or city commissioner of correction and head of every state, county, or local police department to report instances and occurrences of hate crimes; requires the division to promulgate rules and regulations for such reporting.

Expands the description of certain services which are not prohibited by statutes governing the practice of nursing, including direct support staff to nurses.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals to sue the state directly for violations of specific federal civil rights laws, such as the ADA, Title IX, and the Civil Rights Act. It waives the state's sovereign immunity (meaning the state can be sued) for these violations and sets a minimum $4,000 damage award for each offense, covering both monetary losses and non-monetary harms like emotional distress. The law applies to state programs receiving federal funding and permits claims in any competent court, without limiting existing state law remedies. It directly affects people whose civil rights were allegedly violated by state actions under the covered federal laws.