Asm. Andrew Hevesi

Enacts the "gender identity respect, dignity and safety act"; relates to the treatment and placement of incarcerated individuals based upon gender identity; requires that incarcerated individuals in state and local correctional facilities who have a gender identity different from their assigned sex at birth be addressed and have access to commissary items, clothing and other materials that are consistent with the person's gender identity; establishes that incarcerated individuals shall be presumptively placed in a correctional facility with persons of the gender that most closely aligns with such person's self-attested gender identity unless the person opts out of such placement.

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

Provides an option for beneficiaries of NYC transit authority members to receive a lump sum equal to the pension reserve where a member who is eligible for a service retirement dies prior to filing for retirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes standards and funding rules for social model adult day services designed for elderly individuals with physical or cognitive impairments. It directs the state director to create regulations covering staffing, admission criteria, and safety inspections, while also requiring training on recognizing elder abuse. The legislation sets up a funding system where the state provides grants to non-profit and local agencies to cover up to 75% of program costs, with higher support available for financially needy providers. Additionally, it clarifies that these funds cannot replace existing services or be used for people already covered by other government programs.

Creates a Down syndrome awareness program to provide up-to-date and evidence-based information on Down syndrome to health care providers who order tests for a pregnant woman or infants to screen for Down syndrome.

Relates to creating the health emergency response data system, which collects information and statistical data relating to public health emergencies in order to assist the department of health, other government entities, health care providers, and the public in understanding and responding to public health emergencies.

Requires reporting and posting by assisted living facilities relating to quality measures and information concerning rates, rent, and service fees; requires a scoring system of the assisted living quality reporting.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Dyslexia Diagnosis Access Act, mandates that health insurance policies covering physician services must pay for comprehensive neuropsychological exams used to diagnose dyslexia. The legislation aims to address the high cost of these tests, which can exceed six thousand dollars and are often unaffordable for families without coverage. By requiring insurers to include these specific exams, the law ensures that individuals suspected of having dyslexia can access necessary diagnostic evaluations without facing financial barriers. The changes apply to all insurance policies issued, renewed, or modified on or after the act's effective date of January 1st following its passage.

Establishes the people with disabilities access to programs commission to examine, evaluate and make recommendations for new laws with respect to how the state should streamline eligibility requirements and processes for its programs and services to assist people with disabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal definition for "noncompliant state agencies" and creates a reporting system to track their progress in managing contracts with not-for-profit corporations. Under the new rules, an agency is considered noncompliant if it fails to submit renewal contracts to the attorney general within required timeframes or does not fully execute contracts before they start. Noncompliant agencies must submit monthly reports detailing their delays and corrective actions to the state comptroller, the legislature, and the affected not-for-profit organizations, with all reports made public on agency websites. Additionally, the bill clarifies that any written directives allowing services to begin before a contract is finalized must include a payment schedule and a warning that late payments will incur interest.