Asm. Phil Ramos

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary retirement incentive for eligible public school employees in New York State, specifically teachers and building-level administrators (like principals) who are members of the Teachers' Retirement System and meet the age 55/25 service requirement. It allows these employees to retire during a designated 60-day open period (starting no earlier than June 30, 2026, and ending by August 31, 2026) without facing the usual benefit reductions that apply under existing retirement laws. Educational employers must elect to participate by adopting a resolution, and the employer will cover the cost of the incentive over up to five years, beginning in the 2027-2028 state fiscal year. The incentive is strictly temporary and ends by August 31, 2026, with no expectation of future benefits for employees who do not qualify during this window.

Requires age-appropriate instruction on conflict resolution for elementary, middle, and high school students; requires the commissioner to develop curricula for schools in the state for such instruction; directs the commissioner to develop resource materials to facilitate such instruction.

Enacts the "New York emergency expedited temporary work permit act" to allow asylum seekers to apply for and be granted temporary work permits while their federal immigration status is being determined.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 21st each year as "Down Syndrome Awareness Day" in New York State. It adds this date to the state's official calendar of commemorative days, which already includes other observances like Holocaust Remembrance Day and Juneteenth. The bill does not create new policies or funding; it simply establishes a formal recognition day to raise awareness about Down syndrome. This designation affects all New York state entities and residents, encouraging official observances and educational efforts on that date.

Provides that certain utilization review determinations shall be made consistent with medical and scientific evidence; includes services for mental health and substance use disorders as part of emergency services.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows licensed pharmacists in New York to order and administer specific diagnostic tests, directly affecting pharmacists and patients seeking convenient testing. It authorizes pharmacists to perform FDA-authorized tests for conditions like COVID-19, flu, RSV, strep throat, HbA1c, hepatitis C, and HIV. The law expands pharmacists' scope of practice to include these tests under federal "waiver" requirements, without requiring additional physician oversight. The provision expires on July 1, 2028, as noted in the bill's text.

Requires the cannabis control board to provide notice to state legislative representatives upon receipt of application for an adult-use cannabis retail dispensary or on-site consumption license in their district.

Protects people from civil arrest while within one thousand feet of a sensitive location, unless such civil arrest is supported by a judicial warrant or judicial order authorizing such civil arrest.

Requires pharmacies to provide prescription drug readers or other means of access to individuals who disclose they have difficulty seeing or reading standard print labels on prescription drug containers; defines "prescription drug reader" to mean a device which is capable of audibly conveying information contained on the label of a prescription drug; makes exceptions.

Provides for an increased personal income tax deduction for medical expenses incurred by a New York taxpayer to include medical insurance premiums and long term care premiums.