Asm. Misha Novakhov

Establishes a 13 member veteran suicide mortality review board to serve as the statewide entity responsible for the multidisciplinary review of suicide deaths among veterans by identifying trends and systemic factors contributing to veteran suicide; assessing gaps in services, access to care, and institutional practices; developing evidence-based recommendations for prevention and policy improvement; and promoting collaboration among relevant state, local, and federal agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires chatbot operators (proprietors) to prevent their AI systems from impersonating licensed professionals like doctors, lawyers, or therapists when providing advice or taking actions that would be illegal if done by a human. Proprietors must clearly disclose to users that they are interacting with an AI chatbot in the same language and readable font size as the chatbot's interface, and cannot avoid liability by merely stating this fact. If a chatbot causes harm through such impersonation, affected individuals can sue for actual damages, plus attorney fees if the violation was willful. The law specifically targets chatbots offering professional advice, excluding basic tools like spellcheck or payment processors.

Allows an authority having jurisdiction over a volunteer fire department or fire company in a county, city, town, village, fire district, or fire protection district to provide volunteer firefighters with a stipend of a nominal fee for responses to calls and for certain standby services; includes volunteer firefighters within the labor law definition of "employee" of a federal, state or municipal government of political subdivision thereof; establishes the volunteer fire service nominal compensation assistance fund.

Provides that no individual or entity shall be charged a central business district toll during any period of strike by an employee organization, work stoppage or declared state of emergency that causes a stoppage for more than twenty-four hours or significant delays of any metropolitan transportation authority, metro north commuter railroad, New York city transit authority, or Long Island railroad services.

Maddy summaryBill A 8197 aims to protect Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients from benefit theft due to skimming devices. It directly affects SNAP recipients by enhancing security and all retail food stores that accept SNAP benefits. The bill mandates that these stores display warning signs about EBT/SNAP skimming fraud at public entrances. Additionally, it requires all businesses accepting SNAP benefits to install and use chip-enabled point-of-sale terminals for EBT transactions. Non-compliant businesses may face civil penalties, though provisions for financial assistance to small businesses for equipment upgrades are included.

Maddy summaryBill A 6909 requires all homeless shelters in New York City to be located at least 500 feet away from any transit facility, such as subway stations, bus stops, or train lines. This rule directly affects homeless shelters seeking to open or relocate within the city, as well as transit facilities like subway entrances or bus depots. The law defines "transit facility" broadly to include any infrastructure used for public passenger transportation, mail, or property transport. The policy change takes effect 90 days after the bill becomes law, applying specifically to NYC's administrative code.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New York's First Home Savings Program, creating tax-advantaged savings accounts for first-time home buyers. It directly affects New York residents who have never owned a primary residence (including those with mobile homes but excluding those who claimed home tax deductions), allowing them to save for purchasing a home in the state. Key provisions include tax incentives under state law, strict rules defining "first-time buyer" status, and requirements that funds be used only for qualified home purchases (houses, condos, or co-ops) within New York as a primary residence. Withdrawals for non-qualified purposes face penalties, while exceptions exist for death, emergencies, or military service. The program is managed by the state comptroller and requires accounts to be held at approved financial institutions.

Establishes a 14 member doula Medicaid reimbursement work group within the department of health to set reimbursement rates for doulas in the state Medicaid program and address other criteria related to their practice; requires the work group to conduct a study and evaluate the costs, benefits and issues that may be associated with Medicaid reimbursement for doulas and for providing doula care to Medicaid recipients; makes related provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state, county, school district, and other public employers (including community colleges and public benefit corporations) to provide employees with up to 8 hours of paid leave annually to volunteer as poll workers during elections. The leave is excused (not deducted from other leave) and must be granted for election-related duties. Employers must establish simple guidelines for requesting and approving the leave, but the bill explicitly states it won't override existing collective bargaining agreements or employee benefits. The policy directly affects public employees who wish to serve as poll workers without losing pay or accrued leave time.

Prohibits electric, gas, telephone, cellular telephone, television, internet, energy, water services or any other utility providers from imposing additional fees related to administrative surcharges, fees for non-use or any other charges to customers living at their primary residence who are over sixty-five years of age or who have a developmental disability.