Asm. Jo Anne Simon

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the mental hygiene law to add spina bifida to the list of conditions qualifying as a developmental disability. It directly affects individuals with spina bifida who may now qualify for services under existing developmental disability programs. The key change is simply adding "spina bifida" to the statutory list of qualifying conditions, which currently includes intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and others. No new programs or funding are created - this is a definitional update to align eligibility with current medical understanding. The bill passed committee referral and is now moving toward final legislative action.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York's Office of Addiction Services and Supports to establish new tobacco policies for addiction treatment facilities. It mandates that facilities serving children, youth, or young adults must be entirely tobacco-free, while other facilities may choose to be "tobacco-limited" (allowing limited tobacco use in designated areas) or tobacco-free. The policy also adds priority admission for individuals whose children are in foster care or at risk of placement under family court or social services laws. These standards apply to all facilities providing substance abuse treatment services. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Adult Student Grant Program, providing financial aid grants to New York adults returning to college or pursuing career training. It directly affects eligible adults who are New York residents (with military exceptions), maintain a 2.5 GPA, attend SUNY institutions for at least three credits, and demonstrate financial need. Grants cover up to $1,500 annually or the full cost of tuition/fees (whichever is lower), with a lifetime maximum of $6,000. Priority is given to applicants with demonstrated financial need, and the program is funded through state appropriations.

Provides that the term "landlord" when used in the real property law, shall not include or apply to any corporation, entity or organization, hereinafter known as a "cooperative entity" that is or is operating for the purpose of providing housing and/or residences for its shareholders by leasing or subleasing to such shareholders, under proprietary leases or occupancy agreements or subleases of such leases or occupancy agreements of apartments or residences in the buildings or premises owned by such cooperative entities; makes related provisions for the term "tenant".

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 5001) requires New York state agencies to conduct cost comparisons before signing consultant contracts exceeding $1 million annually. It mandates agencies to evaluate whether state employees could provide the same services at equal or lower cost, excluding legal services and construction contracts. If savings exceed 10%, agencies must develop a business plan analyzing options, performance risks, and quality standards, and notify affected employees if layoffs may occur. The plan must then be reviewed by the state comptroller, who has 90 days to approve or disapprove it.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 8718) prohibits specific high-ranking public officials and their immediate family members - including New York state governors, lieutenant governors, comptrollers, attorneys general, and the U.S. president - from engaging in virtual currency business activities related to their personal interests. It defines "covered interest" as owning 5% or more of a virtual currency, receiving compensation for promoting it, or having financial entitlements from its sale. The law bans these individuals from buying, selling, exchanging, or managing virtual currency for others if it relates to their covered interest, with violations subject to civil penalties of up to $50,000 per day. The bill applies to all such officials during their tenure and includes specific exclusions for gaming tokens and loyalty programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires developers seeking permits for major projects near low-income or minority neighborhoods to submit a detailed public engagement plan. The plan must include maps of the community, locations of sensitive sites like schools, a schedule for at least three public meetings, and materials in plain language translated into common community languages. Applicants must also provide quarterly progress reports and ensure community input influences project design. This applies to projects within one mile of designated disadvantaged communities, aiming to improve transparency and community involvement in environmental permitting.

Provides that cities having a population in excess of one million shall not supersede state provisions relating to the state law prohibition on individuals standing or parking a vehicle within twenty feet of a cross walk at an intersection.

Provides that the submission of claims for services provided by home care agencies shall be done on forms approved by the centers for Medicare and Medicaid services.

Establishes the retrain and employ unemployed persons program providing grants to community colleges to develop training programs or improve existing workforce development programs for the purposes of training unemployed individuals for jobs in the regions surrounding such community colleges.