Asm. Sam Berger

Maddy summaryThis bill makes technical corrections to update outdated references from "director" to "commissioner" for the state's Veterans' Services role across four existing laws. It specifically revises sections in the Elder Law, Mental Hygiene Law, and State Finance Law to consistently use "commissioner of veterans' services" instead of "director." The changes affect how these laws reference the office responsible for veterans' programs but do not alter any programs, funding, or policy requirements. The bill only corrects statutory titles and has no new substantive provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 7321) would require New York health insurers to cover speech therapy for stuttering when recommended by a physician. It applies to all medical, major medical, and similar insurance plans, eliminating limits on the number of therapy sessions or visits. Coverage must be provided by licensed professionals and clarifies that school-based therapy (like IEPs) does not affect medical coverage for therapy outside educational settings. The bill was vetoed by the governor in October 2025 and did not become law.

Repeals provisions relating to mandatory anti-arson applications for insurance coverage to insure any building against the peril of fire or explosion.

Provides additional credits to children and siblings of New York city sanitation members who died in the performance of duty as the natural and proximate result of the World Trade Center attack on September 11, 2001.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 4718) makes permanent disability benefits for volunteer firefighters who develop heart or coronary artery conditions. It updates a 1977 law by removing an expiration date (previously set for June 30, 2025) that would have ended these benefits. The change directly affects volunteer firefighters whose heart-related disabilities occur after the law's effective date. The bill preserves existing benefits without creating new ones, ensuring continued support for eligible firefighters.

Requires the appointment of a Title VI coordinator at every college and university in the state to ensure compliance with Title VI of the federal civil rights act of 1964; requires the division of human rights to develop training for students and employees; requires the Title VI coordinator to notify annually all students and employees of the institution's policies and procedures for reporting discrimination and harassment.

Extends certain provisions authorizing certain mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and psychoanalysts to engage in diagnosis and the development of assessment-based treatment plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New York City to sell or lease approximately 77 acres of parkland within Flushing Meadows Corona Park to Queens Future, LLC for development including a gaming facility, commercial spaces, and related infrastructure. It requires the city to dedicate funds equal to the land's market value toward new parkland or improvements in Queens, specifically mandating at least 20 acres of new parkland (including a north-south connection) within the park. The bill excludes Citi Field from the affected area. The law was enacted in June 2025 (Chapter 138).

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a property tax exemption for the primary residence of New York veterans with a 100% service-connected disability. To qualify, veterans must have an honorable discharge, a VA/DoD rating of 100% disability due to military service, or be rated individually unemployable due to service-related conditions. The exemption covers all real property taxes, special district charges, and assessments on their primary home. The law takes effect for tax assessments starting January 2, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill modernizes podiatry practice by expanding podiatrists' authority to perform specific ankle surgeries. It creates two new privilege levels: "standard ankle surgery" (allowing soft tissue and bone procedures) and "advanced ankle surgery" (permitting fracture fixation, fusion, arthroscopy, and certain rod insertions). Podiatrists must obtain these privileges through department-issued certifications, and the bill defines "ankle" precisely to clarify scope. It also establishes a limited permit for training in advanced procedures under physician supervision, while restricting podiatrists from performing total ankle replacements or treating pilon fractures.