Asm. Steven Raga

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a pilot program requiring New York state health programs to pay no more than the lowest price for certain prescription drugs in Canada. It sets maximum prices based on the most recent drug pricing lists from Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta, starting with the five most expensive drugs. State agencies and health plans must pay these Canadian-based rates for covered drugs, and any savings generated must be passed directly to consumers through reduced costs. The program applies only to state-funded health plans and agencies purchasing drugs for state programs, excluding Medicaid.

Prohibits the sale of foods containing synthetic color additives in schools except under certain circumstances off and away from the premises or on premises at least a half hour after the end of the school day.

Prohibits the use of automated systems to make employment decisions unless there is a meaningful human review of the output of such automated system prior to the final employment decision; requires employers that use an automated system in the hiring process to notify applicants of the use of such system; provides that an applicant who has received an adverse employment decision may request a human-conducted review of such decision.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires licensed check cashers to file suspicious activity reports (SARs), similar to banks. It directly affects businesses that cash checks for a fee, mandating them to report transactions that may indicate fraud or money laundering. The key mechanism is an amendment to banking law, directing the superintendent of banks to create rules requiring these SAR filings. The law specifies that check cashers must follow the same reporting standards applied to financial institutions. This change aims to strengthen oversight of check-cashing businesses under existing anti-money laundering frameworks.

Enacts the climate resilient New York act; establishes the office of resilience and a resilience task force to assess and identify climate related threats and develop a statewide resilience plan.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases short-term disability benefits for New York workers. It phases in higher weekly benefit rates (from 50% to 67% of average weekly wage) and extends maximum leave duration (from 8 to 12 weeks) over several years, starting in 2018. The changes apply to employees needing short-term disability leave due to illness or injury, directly affecting both workers and their employers who provide these benefits. The bill maintains a cap based on the state average weekly wage and allows the superintendent of financial services to delay increases if needed.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases corporate income tax rates in the state. For most corporations, the rate rises to 7.25% for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. Corporations with a business income base exceeding $5 million will pay 11.5% instead of the standard rate. The change applies to businesses operating within the state and affects all corporate taxpayers subject to the state's tax law, with specific lower rates for small businesses, manufacturers, and qualified emerging technology companies as defined in the law. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment for taxable years starting on or after the effective date.

Provides for adjustment of the maximum income threshold for eligibility for the senior citizen rent increase exemption (SCRIE), disability rent increase exemption (DRIE), senior citizen homeowners' exemption (SCHE), and disabled homeowners' exemption (DHE) by any increase in the consumer price index (CPI).

Expands eligibility for the tuition assistance program by restoring eligibility to graduate students; makes optional semesters, quarters or terms eligible for awards.

Prohibits the use of aversive conditioning which includes any procedure which causes obvious signs of physical pain, including but not limited to hitting, pinching and electric shock; prohibits the use of any procedure or punishment which denies a vulnerable person reasonable sleep, shelter, bedding, bathroom facilities and any other aspect expected of a humane existence; defines terms.