Asm. Juan Ardila

Maddy summaryThis bill allows local governments to offer a full real property tax exemption for the primary homes of veterans with a 100 percent service-connected disability. To qualify, the veteran must have been honorably discharged, be rated as permanently and totally disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and be considered individually unemployable. The exemption also extends to LGBT veterans who meet the same disability and discharge criteria. If passed, the law would apply to property tax assessments starting on or after January 2, 2024.

Relates to including outpatient care provided by creative arts therapists in certain insurance policies covering care for other mental health services.

Directs the New York State Department of Labor to establish a voluntary training and certification program for employers entitled the Neurodiversity Training Pledge.

Requires public notice and public engagement when a general hospital seeks to close entirely or a unit that provides maternity, mental health or substance use care.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Fashion Environmental Accountability Act, requires large fashion retailers to conduct standardized environmental due diligence on their supply chains and creates a remediation fund to address harms. It applies to businesses selling new clothing, shoes, or bags with over $100 million in annual revenue, excluding used clothing sellers and most multi-brand retailers. Companies must map their suppliers across four tiers, from raw material providers to finished goods manufacturers, and report on their efforts to prevent or mitigate environmental damage. The legislation mandates that these reports be independently verified and published using open data principles, while defining a "living wage" as a key standard for worker compensation.

Relates to rechargeable battery recycling; adds a battery used as the principal electric power source for an electric scooter or bicycle with electric assist to the definition of "rechargeable battery"; provides that a battery manufacturer may not sell, offer for sale, or distribute rechargeable batteries in the state unless the battery manufacturer is implementing or participating under an approved plan; allows a city with a population of one million or more to enforce through its own agencies.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires payment card networks and merchant acquirers to use specific international codes for businesses that sell firearms and ammunition in New York. Starting in May 2025, these financial intermediaries must assign the designated code to licensed gun dealers and ammunition sellers to ensure their transactions are properly classified. The law includes enforcement measures where the Attorney General can issue notices, seek court injunctions, and impose civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation if the required codes are not used. By standardizing how these transactions are categorized, the legislation aims to improve data tracking for firearm and ammunition sales within the state.

Establishes the "New York state lead-safe renovation, repair and painting act"; establishes standards for lead-safe renovation, repair and painting of residential properties; requires documentation of compliance with such standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance policies to cover transvaginal ultrasounds when they are medically necessary and recommended by established clinical guidelines. The law defines these guidelines as evidence-based recommendations created by independent medical organizations using transparent methods and conflict-of-interest policies. It applies to pregnancy care provided under insurance plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The changes directly affect pregnant individuals seeking this specific type of ultrasound and the insurance companies that must provide coverage for it.