Rep. David Weprin

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a real property tax exemption for the primary residences of surviving spouses of firefighters who died in the line of duty. It allows local governments and school districts to automatically exempt up to 50% of the assessed value of these homes from taxation, though they retain the option to reduce this percentage if they choose. The law defines eligible firefighters broadly to include paid members of various fire departments and extends the benefit to properties held in trust or by cooperative apartment corporations, while excluding certain types of housing. Additionally, the bill requires the state to develop and publish a list of documents that prove eligibility for this tax relief.

Relates to the prohibition of lending institutions issuing mail-loan checks except in response to an affirmative request or application therefor; provides that any debt, interest, fee or other obligation arising from a mail-loan check issued in violation of this section shall be null and void and unenforceable.

Requires insurers and corporations that issue, sell, renew or offer a specialized dental benefits plan policy or contract to report annually on data related to such dental benefits plan policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands approved driver education providers in New York to include licensed driving schools (after commissioner approval), alongside high schools and colleges. It requires classroom instruction to be taught by instructors approved by both the state education department and motor vehicle commissioner. School districts may now contract with licensed driving schools for behind-the-wheel training, and students in these courses may operate vehicles under supervision without a license during instruction. The bill specifically allows two religious schools to offer driver education in certain locations during non-school hours, but its primary focus is adding driving schools to the approved provider list.

Enacts "Francesco's law" which establishes violations for the failure to safely store rifles, shotguns, and firearms in the presence of a minor or a prohibited person; requires the office of gun violence prevention to collect and analyze statistical and other information and data with respect to injuries or deaths of minors resulting from failure to safely store a firearm, rifle, or shotgun.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New York's insurance law to clarify that service contracts can cover accidental damage from handling (like dropping devices) and power surges, alongside existing coverage for defects or wear. It explicitly includes these protections in the definition of "service contract," limiting indemnity payments per incident to the property's original purchase price. The bill also specifies that such contracts may cover tire repairs for road hazards, windshield chip repairs, paintless dent removal, key replacements, and residential appliance maintenance. These changes directly affect consumers purchasing service contracts for electronics, vehicles, or home appliances, ensuring clearer terms for accidental damage coverage.

Maddy summaryBill A 8382 updates the language in the Family Court Act by replacing gender-specific terms with gender-neutral alternatives. It changes words like "father," "mother," and "paternity" to "parent," "parties," and "parentage" in various sections. This bill directly affects individuals involved in family court proceedings concerning the establishment of parentage and child support. For instance, it modifies provisions related to genetic marker tests, ordering them for "the parties and the child" to determine parentage.

Requires bicycles advertised for sale or resale in New York state to have an identifying serial number in legible boldfaced figures in one of certain specified areas on the bicycle; requires advertisements for bicycles to clearly and conspicuously include a photograph of such bicycles; exempts online marketplaces from placing identifying serial numbers on bicycles.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires large group health insurance plans in New York to cover acupuncture services when prescribed by qualified healthcare providers (as defined under Education Law §8211). It applies to plans covering physician office services or comprehensive medical coverage, mandating coverage for acupuncture treatments but allowing reasonable cost-sharing like deductibles or co-pays. The law does not require full coverage without cost-sharing, only that plans include acupuncture as a covered service under specified conditions. It affects insurers offering large group plans and patients relying on such coverage for acupuncture treatments. The bill takes effect 90 days after enactment for new or renewed policies.

Prohibits insurers from reducing disability benefits due to the actual or anticipated receipt of social security disability benefits unless certain conditions are met.