Asm. Sam Berger

Relates to tax abatement for rent-controlled and rent regulated property occupied by and real property owned by senior citizens or persons with disabilities.

Extends the period during which the empire state digital gaming tax credit may be claimed to 01/01/2032; amends the eligibility criteria for game development companies by changing the yearly timeframe structure, lowering the dollar threshold per production, and removing the in-state cost incurred threshold to accurately fit current digital gaming industry models; allows unused credits to be rolled over to the following tax year.

Requires the commissioner of health to include in annual reports information regarding the cost and increase in cost of the ten prescription drugs on which the state expends the most money and which have had certain costs increased by fifty percent or more over the past five years or by ten percent or more during the previous calendar year.

Excludes the five state-run veterans homes from assessments on their gross receipts received from all patient care services and other operating income; directs the Commissioner of Health to apply to the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services for any necessary waivers pursuant to federal law and regulation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2211) allows workers' compensation claimants and insurers to receive certain notices electronically instead of by mail. It amends the insurance law to permit electronic delivery of notices required under workers' compensation rules, provided the electronic notice meets the state technology law's requirements. This directly affects claimants and insurers in property/casualty insurance transactions involving workers' compensation claims. The key provision replaces the prior requirement for physical delivery to a policy-specified address with electronic delivery to an electronic address, as long as it complies with state technology standards.

Prohibits accessing or distributing certain sexually explicit depictions of children; prohibits consent to such depictions by anyone under eighteen years of age; makes such crimes eligible for bail; includes certain crimes as sex offenses.

Allows for reasonable accommodations for the examination portion of licensure requirements to become a social worker for individuals for whom English is not their primary language and a test in their primary language is not available.

Maddy summaryBill A 8246 proposes to allow individuals who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to use them for purchasing menstrual products, including sanitary napkins, tampons, and panty liners. The bill directs the state's Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to seek a waiver or authorization from the federal government for this change. This policy would only take effect if federal approval is granted.

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 summaryThis bill makes intentionally causing extreme pain to companion animals (like dogs, cats, and household pets) a class E felony. It defines "aggravated cruelty" as conduct intended to cause extreme pain or carried out in a depraved/sadistic manner, while excluding lawful activities such as hunting, veterinary care, or dispatching diseased animals. Convicted individuals may lose ownership of the animals involved and forfeit them to humane societies. The law repeals an outdated provision and adds these definitions and penalties to New York’s penal code. It directly affects individuals who commit severe animal cruelty against companion animals, not farm animals.