Asm. Jessica González-Rojas

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 7.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for specific human services programs effective April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026. It directly affects providers of mental health, developmental disability, and addiction services (including clinics, residential programs, and outpatient care) by requiring them to use the COLA funds to provide at least a 2.6% targeted salary increase for eligible staff. The COLA applies to programs funded or certified by the Office of Mental Health, Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, and Office of Addiction Services and Supports. This adjustment is inclusive of other inflation factors for the specified period, excluding federal pandemic relief programs.

Directs DOCCS, in collaboration with OTDA, OMH and OASAS, to establish a 5-year reintegration pilot program for individuals being released from correctional facilities to provide supports and services to prepare for release, assist with reintegration into the community, and reduce recidivism.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance policies covering hospital, surgical, or medical care to include comprehensive coverage for perimenopausal and menopausal care and treatment. It mandates coverage for specific symptoms like hot flashes, sleep disruption, bone loss, and cognitive changes without annual deductibles, co-pays, or coinsurance. The law directly affects women experiencing these symptoms and their insurance providers, who must comply with the new coverage standards. It applies to all policies issued, renewed, or modified on or after the effective date (January 1 following enactment). The bill defines "menopause" as a 12-month absence of menstruation and "perimenopause" as the transitional phase leading to menopause.

Relates to preventing discrimination and increasing awareness of rights for employees with menstrual-related conditions, perimenopausal-related conditions and menopausal-related conditions; requires employers to provide employees with an informational pamphlet on any regulations relating to the rights of employees.

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 children from being denied access to a free public education on account of perceived or actual citizenship or immigration status or the perceived or actual citizenship or immigration status of their parents or person in a parental relationship.

Amends the effective date of a 2025 chapter relating to enforcement of provisions regarding regulation of tobacco products, herbal cigarettes, and smoking paraphernalia.

Establishes the comprehensive sexual and reproductive health program to provide funding to providers whose primary function is to facilitate access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care services and information for low-income, uninsured and underinsured individuals and provide support to providers to facilitate access to care, fund uncompensated care, and support community awareness of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care services across New York state.

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.