Asm. Michaelle Solages

Requires the owner or operator of a new data center to submit to the Public Service Commission a thermal energy network feasibility assessment that identifies potential off-site thermal loads within one mile of the facility; requires that new data centers be designed, constructed, and operated to capture and reuse waste heat generated by computing equipment through a thermal energy network.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 5211) requires all New York school districts to employ certified school library media specialists in every elementary and secondary school based on student enrollment size. For example, schools with 100-300 students must have 0.3 full-time equivalent librarians, while schools over 2,000 students need two full-time librarians plus one additional for every 1,000 more students. It also mandates library clerks in schools with at least 1,000 students (one clerk per 1,000 students). School districts may request a one-year waiver for up to two years total if they demonstrate a shortage of certified librarians and made hiring offers, but waivers cannot exceed two years in a five-year period. The law applies to all public elementary and secondary schools statewide.

Requires not-for-profit hospitals inform patients that low to moderate-income persons may qualify for help with medical bills through such hospitals' charitable programs by disclosing such information to patients, posting such information conspicuously, and through social workers.

Provides that any one-way, round trip or multi-trip tickets purchased for use on the Long Island Rail Road or the Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company by a senior citizen or a person with a disability shall be valid at any time during the day or night.

Requires automated external defibrillator equipment to be immediately available at school-sponsored events; requires school districts, boards of cooperative educational services, county vocational education and extension boards and charter schools to develop and implement a cardiac emergency response plan.

Authorizes the posting by each municipality of turtle crossing signs on local roads located within such municipality; empowers the state commissioner of transportation to develop and implement rules and regulations authorizing municipalities to post turtle crossing signs on local roads located within the municipality.

Requires home health care professionals to use the adverse childhood experience questionnaire in assessing the patient's health risks; makes Medicaid reimbursement of primary care providers contingent upon such use; requires the department of social services to report to the senate and assembly health committees.

Maddy summaryThis bill, "Siena's Law," requires New York public schools to add age-appropriate instruction on breast cancer self-examinations to senior high school health education courses. It mandates that certified health teachers provide this content as part of the required curriculum, alongside other cancer prevention and detection methods. Local school boards may also choose to include similar instruction in elementary and middle schools. The law affects all public school students in New York, with specific requirements beginning in high school. It takes effect July 1, 2025, after enactment.

Directs the commissioner of corrections and community supervision, in consultation with the commissioner of health, the commissioner of education, the commissioner of mental health, and the state board of pharmacy, to promulgate and implement rules and regulations authorizing the use of automated patient dispensing and storage systems for distribution of prescription and non-prescription drugs and medical devices in correctional facilities.

Establishes the toxic victim justice act to extend the time frame to commence an action for certain victims who were exposed to a toxic substance until one year from the date of discovery of the toxic etiological cause or source of the injury or the date the plaintiff should have discovered the cause or source of the injury.