Rep. Simcha Eichenstein

Requires the consumer protection division to establish a process by which any state agency or third party, pursuant to an interagency agreement with the division for the purposes of fraud prevention, identity verification, and ensuring the integrity or security of individual identities, to grant access to verify New York resident identities via a secure comparison process against state systems.

Provides that the thruway authority shall issue permits for ambulances and fire vehicles exempting such vehicles from paying tolls on the thruway when engaged in an emergency operation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a compensation program for SNAP (supplemental nutrition assistance program) and cash assistance recipients who had their benefits stolen or defrauded. It creates a dedicated $1.5 million fund (funded by a one-time appropriation from the general fund) to pay eligible individuals after fraud is verified by state agencies. The program requires an application process available in English and the ten most common non-English languages spoken in New York State.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state-funded program to provide health insurance coverage to New Yorkers who lose eligibility for federal subsidies due to their immigration status. It establishes a new state premium assistance program that offers financial help equivalent to federal tax credits for lawfully present individuals who are currently ineligible for federal aid. Additionally, the legislation expands eligibility for existing state coverage to include more noncitizens and increases income limits for pregnant individuals and their newborns, with some provisions funded directly by state money regardless of federal approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands retirement service credit eligibility for law enforcement officers within the New York State Division of State Police and several other agencies. It directly affects investigators and sworn officers employed by the New York Waterfront Commission starting July 1, 2023, as well as non-seasonally appointed sworn members, forest rangers, and police officers in the Department of Environmental Conservation. The legislation mandates that these individuals be covered under the same retirement provisions as state police officers and ensures their prior service is counted toward their total retirement credit. Additionally, it clarifies that service credit for state university police officers who meet specific training and tenure requirements will be calculated based on their final average salary. These changes are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Relates to reporting unmet need, which is the number of eligible individuals seeking participation in a program or service who are not receiving such program or service due to insufficient resources or capacity.

Relates to certain crimes of interference with access to places of religious worship; expands interference to include groups of two or more people demonstrating or preparing to demonstrate one hundred feet outside of places of religious worship.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Didarul Islam police recruitment act, allows certain New York City public safety workers to count their prior service toward their New York City police pension fund. It specifically includes time spent as school safety agents, corrections officers, traffic enforcement agents, or police cadets before joining the uniformed police force. To qualify, members must transfer their contributions from the city employees' retirement system to the police pension fund and pay any required interest. The change applies immediately and affects those eligible for police pension benefits who previously worked in related city safety roles.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts New York State Police officers from tolls when driving personal vehicles on Ward's Island for official duties. It directly affects state police members who use Ward's Island for work-related purposes. The key provision requires that vehicles must be used for official duties, and officers must apply for the exemption through the relevant authority as prescribed. The bill creates a specific toll exemption under the Public Authorities Law for this limited purpose.

Prohibits the issuance of violations or tickets during certain weekend hours to residential occupants for violations of the sanitation department regulations regarding placing trash or garbage out for collection earlier than allowed under the city routing system designated hours.