Asm. Jessica González-Rojas

Provides that an accusatory instrument or supporting deposition consisting of factual allegations by a deponent with limited English proficiency is not sufficient unless accompanied by a sworn statement from an interpreter affirming the accuracy of the English interpretation.

Provides additional protections for sensitive health information; requires all health information networks, electronic health record systems, and health care providers to provide patients with a right to restrict the disclosures of such patient's health information; defines terms; provides for exceptions.

Requires health care plans and payors to have a minimum of twelve and one-half percent of their total expenditures on physical and mental health annually be for primary care services.

Requires food service establishments to permit the use of reusable beverage and food containers provided by customers when requesting a beverage refill or requesting leftovers from a partially consumed meal to be packaged and post signs to inform customers that they are permitted to do so.

Enacts the "packaging reduction and recycling infrastructure act" to require companies selling, offering for sale, or distributing packaging materials and products to register with a packaging reduction organization to develop a packaging reduction and recycling plan; makes related provisions.

Provides that companion animals, as sentient beings, shall be considered victims of animal cruelty crimes, including but not limited to all offenses as defined in article twenty-six of the agriculture and markets law, and shall be treated as such in a court of law.

Requires Medicaid to cover gender-affirming care regardless of federal funding; prohibits discriminatory practices by health care entities including hospitals, certain professionals, and insurers; requires insurance coverage for services or treatments for gender dysphoria or gender incongruence.

Creates the non-partisan legislative budget office; directs such office shall provide information to legislative committees of the senate and assembly with respect to the state budget, appropriation bills and other bills providing budget authority or tax expenditures; requires such office to report to the temporary president of the senate, the senate minority leader, the speaker of the assembly and the assembly minority leader.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits government agencies from discriminating against individuals who are recovering from substance use disorders by denying them employment. It defines "government agency" broadly to include state departments, local municipalities, public schools, and correctional facilities. Under the new law, it is illegal for these employers to reject a job applicant solely because of their recovery status, provided they are not currently using substances. The provision takes effect immediately upon passage, aiming to ensure equal hiring opportunities for people in recovery.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the possession and sale of pistol converters and convertible pistols. It defines a "convertible pistol" as a semi-automatic pistol with a specific trigger bar design that can be easily converted into a machine-gun using common household tools (like screwdrivers or pliers), excluding most modern firearms. The law makes selling or disposing of such pistols a class D felony, with limited exceptions for military personnel, police officers, and licensed gun dealers acting within their duties. The bill directly affects gun owners, sellers, and manufacturers by banning these specific devices and firearms.