Asm. William Colton

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.

Prohibits non-compete agreements and certain restrictive covenants; authorizes covered individuals to bring a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction against any employer or persons alleged to have violated such prohibition.

Requires the same benefits and services for post-traumatic stress disorder for emergency dispatchers and correction officers as are afforded police and firefighters.

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.

Requires catalytic converters to be indelibly marked or engraved with the vehicle identification number of the vehicle on which such catalytic converter is installed; requires junk dealers to obtain and record certain information and documentation when receiving a motor vehicle catalytic converter that is not attached to the motor vehicle.

Prohibits the sale of foods containing synthetic color additives in schools except under certain circumstances off and away from the premises or on premises at least a half hour after the end of the school day.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a wage data clearinghouse to analyze existing unemployment insurance and labor data, aiming to evaluate workforce development programs and identify training gaps. It directs the labor commissioner to select an academic institution (with $600,000 in funding) to run the clearinghouse, using state/federal data while protecting personally identifiable information. The clearinghouse will produce reports for state agencies, employers, and educational providers to improve workforce training effectiveness, with annual evaluations required for the program.

Requires owners of housing accommodations subject to rent registration to file an additional statement at three month intervals, until the unit is occupied.

Requires contractors and subcontractors performing construction work for covered renewable energy systems to have apprenticeship agreements; relates to the effectiveness of provisions of law related thereto.

Extends paid family leave benefits to certain construction employees who shall be eligible for family leave benefits if they were employed for at least twenty-six of the last thirty-nine weeks by any covered employer which is signatory to a collective bargaining agreement; relates to the effectiveness thereof.