Asm. Maritza Davila

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's Social Services Law to allow licensed creative arts therapists to bill Medicaid directly for their services, rather than requiring them to work through another provider. It specifically adds creative arts therapists to the list of mental health professionals (including mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists) already permitted to bill Medicaid for covered services within their scope of practice. The change applies only to services Medicaid already covers, and does not alter the therapists' existing scope of practice. The bill was referred to the Health committee on February 20, 2025.

Directs the commissioner of health to provide authorizations to all fiscal intermediaries that timely submit a request for authorization prior to January 1, 2026; details information required for such authorizations; makes related provisions.

Requires a retail licensee for on-premises consumption to maintain and make available to customers, at no charge, a device which measures blood alcohol content.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 7714) gives New York utility consumers the right to choose between analog and digital meters at no cost. It directly affects all electricity, water, and gas consumers (including tenants and building owners) by requiring utilities to: - Provide 90 days' written notice before installing digital meters; - Allow consumers to decline digital meters or request analog replacements without fees or penalties; - Replace digital meters with analog ones within 10 days if a consumer has health concerns related to radiofrequency radiation (or 30 days otherwise). Utilities must also track consumer choices for three years and comply with group decisions in multi-unit buildings where 50%+ of residents opt out.

Requires the commissioner of health to promulgate regulations requiring that the addition of, decertification of, or changes in the method of delivery of perinatal services by a general hospital be subject to an application under article 28 of the public health law that requires review and approval by the council.

Relates to the purchase of zero-emission buses and the procurement of electric-powered buses, vehicles or other related equipment and infrastructure; requires public utilities to have infrastructure, capacity, facilities, and transmission and distribution systems needed to supply power for the charging of zero-emission buses and provides a tariff for charging of electric buses.

Relates to the assessment of extraordinary needs count for purposes of the apportionment of public moneys to school districts employing eight or more teachers; defines count of homeless children and children or youth in foster care.

Enacts the manufacturer disclosure and transparency act requiring prescription drug manufacturers to notify the attorney general of arrangements between pharmaceutical manufacturers resulting in the delay of the introduction of generic medications.

Waives Unemployment Pandemic Benefits repayments in whole or in part if the payment of such pandemic unemployment assistance was without fault on the part of the claimant and such repayment would be contrary to equity and good conscience.

Maddy summaryBill A 5955 authorizes the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) to conduct a study on the treatment and conditions of aging prison populations. The study will profile current elderly incarcerated individuals, project future populations, and analyze factors contributing to their growth. It also requires an assessment of the adequacy of specialized housing, medical care, and programs provided to older prisoners, including training for corrections officers and facility oversight. DOCCS must report its findings, conclusions, and legislative recommendations to the governor and legislature within one year.