Asm. Joe DeStefano

Maddy summaryThis New York bill (A 894) allows individuals to transfer legally owned and registered firearms to their children or spouse through their estate after death. It amends penal law to permit such transfers without triggering standard sale or transfer restrictions, provided the weapons were legally registered before the owner's death. The bill specifically defines "immediate family" for this purpose as only a child or spouse, not other relatives. It does not change general firearm transfer rules but creates an exception for estate distributions to these family members.

Prohibits the comptroller from using environment, social, and governance criteria as a screening method for selecting companies and funds to invest the state pension fund in.

Relates to allergy awareness and training in restaurants; requires allergen awareness training; requires certification within thirty days after hire date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York state contracting agencies to set minority and women-owned business enterprise (M/WBE) participation goals based on the actual percentage of certified M/WBEs in each specific industry within the relevant economic development region. It mandates that the Department of Economic Development publish these regional industry-specific M/WBE percentages on its website for every state contract bid opportunity, updating them annually. This directly affects state agencies awarding contracts and contractors who must meet these data-driven participation rates. The policy change replaces previous fixed requirements with regionally and industry-specific targets to better reflect local business certification rates.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1220) makes permanent key provisions allowing nurse practitioners (NPs) to diagnose illnesses, prescribe treatments, and perform therapeutic measures within their specialty, **directly affecting NPs and collaborating physicians**. It requires written practice agreements between NPs and collaborating physicians that include explicit dispute resolution procedures for disagreements over diagnosis or treatment. The bill clarifies that if agreements lack such provisions, the collaborating physician's decisions prevail. These changes update New York's education law to modernize NP practice standards without adding new restrictions. (Bill A 1220, Section 1 & 2, Education Law)

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all American flags purchased by the state government to be 100% manufactured in the United States, using materials grown or produced entirely within the U.S. It applies to all state agencies and departments buying flags for official use, regardless of size. The law amends the state finance law to prohibit purchases of flags not meeting these domestic manufacturing standards and updates the executive law to mandate U.S.-made flags for all public buildings. The requirement takes effect 180 days after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $500 annual tax credit for K-12 teachers in New York who pay out-of-pocket for approved classroom supplies. It covers expenses like books, writing tools, paper, instructional materials, and field trips, but excludes religious materials, sports programs, and most extracurricular activities (except music/drama). The credit reduces income tax liability, with any excess paid as a refund if it exceeds the tax owed. The credit applies to taxable years starting January 1, 2027, and is limited to qualified public or private schools. It directly benefits teachers who bear these costs without employer reimbursement.

Authorizes the Long Island rail road commuter's council to study technologies which would allow seamless communication between fire departments and the Long Island rail road to improve passenger safety and emergency response efficiency.

Relates to prompt payments to counties by the state; provides if prompt payment is not provided an interest payment shall be made to the contractor or county government.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 7339) requires most health insurance plans in New York to cover fertility preservation services when a medical treatment (like cancer therapy) may cause infertility. It directly affects insured individuals undergoing treatments that risk reproductive health, such as chemotherapy or surgery. Key provisions mandate coverage for standard fertility preservation (e.g., egg or sperm freezing) with possible deductibles, while prohibiting insurers from denying coverage based on health conditions like anticipated infertility or personal characteristics (age, gender identity, sexual orientation). The law applies to comprehensive medical insurance policies and takes effect immediately.