Asm. Latrice Walker

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 (A 9571) increases family leave benefits under New York's workers' compensation law, directly affecting eligible employees taking leave for medical care, bonding with a newborn, or military family exigencies. It gradually raises weekly benefit percentages (from 50% to 67% of average weekly wage) and extends maximum leave duration (from 8 to 12 weeks) over time, with specific phased-in dates starting in 2018. Covered employers must provide these enhanced benefits while maintaining health insurance coverage during leave. The changes apply to employees meeting eligibility criteria under the law, with the Superintendent of Financial Services retaining limited authority to delay increases.

Authorizes shelters for victims of domestic violence to be reimbursed for any payment differential for housing a single individual in a room intended for double occupancy where a single occupancy room is not available.

Establishes the end predatory home flipping act; imposes a tax on the transfer of certain residential properties which are sold within two years of the prior conveyance of such property; exempts certain purchases of residential properties from mortgage recording taxes; imposes a tax on the transfer of certain properties in the city of New York which are sold for one million dollars or more.

Imposes a moratorium on the issuance of permits for new data centers; requires the public service commission to issue an order or orders to minimize the impact of new data centers on electricity and gas rates for residential, commercial, and industrial users; clarifies that certain provisions are applicable to the Long Island power authority.

Creates the New York electronic communications privacy act; requires government agents and agencies to obtain a search warrant for physical or electronic access to electronic device information.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates mandatory minimum prison sentences for certain offenses, replacing them with judicial discretion to determine appropriate sentences based on individual circumstances. It requires courts to provide written explanations for sentencing decisions and mandates that pre-sentence reports include analysis of incarceration costs to the state. Defendants gain expanded access to pre-sentence reports used in sentencing decisions, and judges must consider rehabilitation and community safety goals rather than fixed minimum terms. The law applies to felony sentencing under New York's penal and criminal procedure laws, directly affecting judges, defendants, and the state correctional system.

Creates a banking development district working group to assess the banking development district program and provide an annual report to the governor and legislature on the strengths and weaknesses of such program; defines unbanked and underbanked.

Provides access to menstrual products in toilet facilities in public buildings owned or leased by the state that are determined to be opened to the public; requires reporting.

Authorizes the expenditure of contributions received by a candidate or a political committee for security expenses incurred to address ongoing dangers and threats to a candidate, the campaign staff for such candidate, or the candidate's immediate family related to the status or activities as a candidate for elective office or holder of elective office.