Provides for the protection of health information; establishes requirements for communications to individuals about their health information; requires either written consent or a designated necessary purpose for the processing of an individual's health information.
Authorizes certain shelters for victims of domestic violence to be reimbursed for any payment differential for housing a single individual in a room intended for double occupancy where a single occupancy room is not available.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York state-owned parking facilities with at least 50 spaces to install electric vehicle charging stations in a percentage of spots ranging from 10% to 20%, depending on the facility's total size. The Office of General Services is tasked with installing and maintaining these stations, which must meet specific electrical capacity standards, and is authorized to hire licensed electricians if upgrades to the power system are needed. The law applies to public, employee, and pay-per-use parking areas and would have taken effect on April 1 of the following year. However, the bill was vetoed by the Governor in December 2024 and subsequently tabled, meaning it did not become law.
Maddy summaryThis bill sought to allow licensed creative arts therapists to bill Medicaid directly for services they provide to eligible patients. The proposed change would have added creative arts therapists to a list of mental health professionals authorized to receive reimbursement from the state's health insurance program for covered care. The legislation explicitly stated that it would not alter the legal scope of practice for these therapists. Ultimately, the bill was vetoed by the Governor and did not become law.
Enacts the tropical rainforest economic & environmental sustainability act requiring that companies contracting with the state do not contribute to tropical forest degradation or deforestation directly or through their supply chains; establishes the supply chain transparency assistance program to assist small and medium-sized businesses and minority and women-owned businesses in achieving compliant supply chains.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates East Harlem, also known as "El Barrio," as a cultural district by amending the state's arts and cultural affairs law. The legislation defines the district's boundaries as the area between East 96th and 125th Streets, bounded by Fifth Avenue and the East River. Once designated, the Council on the Arts is authorized to provide grants, technical assistance, and other support to cultural institutions within this specific region to promote its cultural significance. The law also allows the council to designate additional cultural districts in the future, provided they are compact, contiguous areas with a shared cultural heritage.
Maddy summaryThis New York law prohibits businesses from using social media platforms to collect debts from consumers. It defines a social media platform as a service that allows users to create profiles, connect with others, and share content, while excluding simple email or direct messaging tools. The bill aims to stop companies from posting debt notices on public feeds or sending harassing messages through social networks. Once signed into law, this rule immediately applies to all debt collection activities involving these digital services within the state.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates state agricultural laws to officially classify cannabis as a crop, livestock product, and livestock. By adding a new paragraph to the agriculture and markets law, it incorporates the legal definition of cannabis from the state's cannabis law into the agricultural code. The change takes effect immediately upon signing, ensuring that cannabis is recognized within the existing framework for farming and agricultural markets.
Requires hospitals to ask patients if they have a disability that requires accommodation under The Americans with Disabilities Act on patient intake forms and what reasonable accommodations are required.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Staff Sergeant Alex R. Jimenez New York State Military Immigrant Family Legacy Program to help military members and their families with immigration issues. The program establishes liaisons within the Department of Veterans' Services and the Office for New Americans to connect eligible individuals with legal resources and guidance on obtaining citizenship or other immigration relief. These liaisons will coordinate with federal agencies, local organizations, and attorneys to assist service members, veterans, and reserve component members who have served honorably. The legislation also requires annual reports to track the program's activities and the number of people assisted.
