Rep. Clyde Vanel

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health care plans (like insurers) to provide health care professionals with a written explanation and a 30-day review period before terminating or not renewing their contracts. It mandates a hearing panel composed of three licensed professionals - appointed jointly by the plan and the professional - to review termination decisions, ensuring impartiality and requiring decisions to be made within 30 days of a request. The bill explicitly prohibits termination for protected activities, such as advocating for patients, filing complaints, or requesting a hearing. It directly affects health care professionals and health care plans operating under New York’s public health and insurance laws.

Provides for the creation of an ebony alert system to be activated on behalf of Black youth who are reported missing under unexplained or suspicious circumstances, at risk, developmentally disabled, or cognitively impaired, or who have been abducted.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's criminal procedure law to allow the expungement (removal from criminal records) of certain convictions related to syringe possession. It specifically covers convictions for offenses under Penal Law sections 222.10, 222.15, 222.25, 222.45, or for violations under former Penal Law section 220.45 prior to this bill's effective date. The key mechanism adds a new provision to the law making these convictions eligible for expungement. This directly affects individuals previously convicted under these specific syringe possession statutes.

Creates the New York electronic communications privacy act; requires government agents and agencies to obtain a search warrant for physical or electronic access to electronic device information.

Establishes the biometric identifier privacy act; requires private entities in possession of biometric identifiers or biometric information to develop a written policy establishing a retention schedule and guidelines for permanently destroying biometric identifiers and biometric information when the initial purpose for collecting or obtaining such identifiers or information has been satisfied or within three years of the individual's last interaction with the private entity, whichever occurs first.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the distribution or publishing of political communications that use artificially generated or significantly altered media, such as deepfakes, when the creator knows the content is deceptive. It requires anyone distributing such material to clearly label it as manipulated, with specific disclosure rules for visual and audio formats. The law bans using these deceptive images or videos to influence elections without the consent of the people depicted, except for satire, news reporting, or paid broadcasts that include disclaimers. Candidates whose likeness appears in unauthorized deceptive media can seek legal relief, including court orders and cost recovery. The restrictions take effect on January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Governor of New York to officially declare April 2026 as Financial Literacy Month. The resolution highlights the importance of helping residents manage money, credit, and debt to improve their economic well-being. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic proclamation to raise awareness about personal finance. The text is then sent to Governor Kathy Hochul for her signature or acknowledgment.

Prohibits public employers from diminishing health insurance benefits provided to Medicare-eligible retirees and their Medicare-eligible dependents or the contributions such employer makes for such health insurance coverage below the level of such benefits or contributions made on behalf of such retirees and dependents by the public employer as of December 31, 2021.

Directs the office of children and family services to establish a center for fatherhood initiatives to issue grants to initiatives regarding the promotion and advancement of fatherhood, including but not limited to all underserved fatherhood groups to help expand opportunities to improve parenting knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy.