Rep. Sam Berger

Maddy summaryBill A 8301 updates the laws regarding the appointment of guardians for individuals with developmental disabilities. It expands the scope of these guardianships to also include persons with traumatic brain injuries. The bill revises the criteria for appointing a guardian, requiring clear and convincing evidence and ensuring the guardianship is imposed in the least restrictive manner necessary. Additionally, it mandates that courts assess an individual's capacity to make health care decisions and clarifies the authority of guardians to make these decisions, including those involving life-sustaining treatment, for both individuals with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries.

Maddy summaryBill A 8494 amends existing law regarding a "valuation manual" related to the insurance industry. It adjusts the reporting schedule for the Department of Financial Services (DFS), requiring them to submit reports on the manual's impact in the second and fifth years after its implementation, removing a previous seventh-year report. Additionally, this bill makes the provisions related to the valuation manual permanent by removing a 10-year sunset clause, ensuring these regulations continue indefinitely. This primarily affects the reporting obligations of the DFS and the long-term regulatory framework for insurance companies.

Provides for the licensure of school psychology practitioners; authorizes the use of the title "licensed school psychology practitioner" to licensed or exempt individuals; defines practice of licensed school psychology practitioners; sets forth requirements for professional licensure (including educational attainment, experience, exam and fee); provides for issuance of limited permits under specified circumstances; identifies exempt persons; establishes mandatory continuing education requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York State to make burial records for former patients interred at state mental health hospital cemeteries freely available to the public. It mandates that records include name, birth/death dates, burial location, military service details, and family relationships, with no fees charged for access. The law also requires maintaining public cemetery maps, posting informational signs at cemeteries, and permanently preserving all burial records - including those for historical institutions like Utica State Hospital and Willard Asylum. These records are explicitly separated from clinical patient files under the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases monthly financial assistance for individuals and couples receiving enhanced residential care in New York. Effective January 1, 2025, eligible individuals will receive $1,768 per month (up from $1,637), while eligible couples will receive double that amount ($3,536 total). The change modifies Section 209 of the Social Services Law to adjust payment levels for this specific care program. It directly affects residents in certified residential care facilities who qualify for this benefit under current eligibility rules. The bill amends existing law to update payment amounts without altering eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 9571) increases family leave benefits under New York's workers' compensation law, directly affecting eligible employees taking leave for medical care, bonding with a newborn, or military family exigencies. It gradually raises weekly benefit percentages (from 50% to 67% of average weekly wage) and extends maximum leave duration (from 8 to 12 weeks) over time, with specific phased-in dates starting in 2018. Covered employers must provide these enhanced benefits while maintaining health insurance coverage during leave. The changes apply to employees meeting eligibility criteria under the law, with the Superintendent of Financial Services retaining limited authority to delay increases.

Establishes the "jobs and housing act"; directs the private housing finance agency to develop and administer a jobs and housing pilot program to construct and preserve housing, including workforce housing, that is affordable to low and moderate income persons, and creates jobs for those who build and work in such housing.

Provides that reimbursement payable for grants for nonpublic school safety equipment shall be paid within twelve months of the nonpublic school furnishing all required application materials for such grant to the department of education; requires the commissioner of education to report on any such reimbursements payable.

Permits local governments to extend the existing clergy residential property tax exemption to include clergy residing in co-ops; clarifies that the clergy property tax exemption shall not affect eligibility for certain other tax abatements.

Requires the school district of location shall annually provide written notice to all parents or persons in parental relation to students with disabilities attending nonpublic schools within their district regarding the process for requesting special education services; relates to the denial of services in a city having a population of one million or more for the 2024--2025 school year.