Asm. Phara Souffrant Forrest

Establishes the "education equity act" which provides language assistance to parents or guardians who have children enrolled in public school and whose primary language is not English; defines terms; creates an annual language assistance plan to assess language needs in the district; requires the department of education to establish web pages detailing the rights of parents to translation services in each covered language; requires annual reports by each school district to the local board of education.

Directs payment of certain internet sales and use taxes into the central business district tolling capital lockbox fund partially dedicated for the MTA to be made without appropriation.

Maddy summaryThis bill gives the New York City Council new authority to oversee the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). It requires NYCHA to produce regular reports on its operations - including Section 8 housing programs - to the Council upon request, specifying details like report content, deadlines, and distribution. The Council must pass a local law to define these reporting requirements, and copies must also go to the city's housing commissioner. Additionally, the bill amends the city charter to mandate annual Council hearings reviewing NYCHA's service goals, performance, and management efficiency.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a requirement that applicants must pass an exam to become a licensed master social worker in New York. It directly affects individuals seeking this specific license by removing the examination step from the qualification process. The key provision eliminates Section 7704(d) of the Education Law, which previously mandated the exam. As a result, applicants will no longer need to pass a test to qualify for the license, simplifying the licensing pathway. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Establishes the rapid employment assistance and counseling hub (REACH) program to dispatch a mobile unit to provide information, assistance and other services concerning unemployment compensation insurance at the request of a legislator or official of a municipality.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal framework for safe injection sites in New York, creating a program approved by the Department of Health to provide overdose prevention services. It directly affects people who use drugs (participants), community health organizations operating the sites, and local communities through designated locations. Key provisions require sites to offer sterile equipment, overdose monitoring, naloxone access, referrals to treatment, and language-accessible education, while mandating annual reporting on participant numbers and services. The bill also provides legal immunity from arrest or penalties for participants, staff, and property owners who follow approved protocols, ensuring these sites operate without criminal or civil liability.

Prohibits discrimination through the use of clinical algorithms; provides exceptions for clinical algorithms that rely on variables to appropriately make decisions, including to identify, evaluate, and address health disparities.

Maddy summaryBill A 7953 mandates that screenings for elevated lead levels, when covered by an insurance policy, will not be subject to annual deductibles or coinsurance. This means individuals would not incur additional out-of-pocket costs, such as a deductible or coinsurance, for these specific screenings. The bill also amends social services law to ensure that screening and blood tests for elevated lead levels in children are a covered service. "Elevated lead levels" are defined by referencing an existing public health law.

Creates a wholesale prescription drug importation program which complies with federal standards and regulations for the purpose of generating substantial savings for consumers.

Requires institutions and local correctional facilities to adhere to certain standards regarding the surveillance of incarcerated individuals and detainees, and access to such surveillance recordings.