Asm. Eddie Gibbs

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state prisons and detention centers to provide incarcerated individuals with free voice communication services, such as phone calls, without charging them or their families. It explicitly prohibits correctional facilities from earning any revenue from these communications and mandates that in-person visit programs continue to operate alongside these services. The law applies to contracts signed on or after April 1, 2025, and ensures that any existing contracts for these services must end by March 31, 2025.

Requires certain documents and forms to be provided in the twelve most common non-English languages spoken by limited English proficient immigrants of five years or less according to the American community survey, as published by the United States census bureau.

Prohibits discrimination against and harassment or bullying of students by employees or students on private, religious or denominational school property or at a school function; provides immunity from civil liability for a person making a good faith report of discrimination, harassment or bullying to authorities.

Requires a caller making a report of suspected child abuse or maltreatment to the central registry to leave their name and contact information; prohibits the office of children and family services from releasing information identifying a person who made such a report.

Requires nursing homes to designate dedicated storage spaces for the storage of the bodies of deceased persons; requires nursing homes to develop and submit plans to the department of health for the designation of such dedicated storage spaces; establishes requirements for such storage spaces.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the amount of savings individuals can keep while still qualifying for Medicaid in New York. Under the new rules, people can retain up to $300,000 in savings, which is a significant increase from the previous limit tied to 150% of the income threshold. The change specifically applies to disabled individuals aged 16 to 65 who meet certain income requirements and contribute to their medical costs. The legislation will take effect on January 1, 2025, provided the federal government agrees to share in the cost of the program.

Provides for certain death benefits to correction officers, correction officer-sergeants, correction officer-captains, assistant wardens, associate wardens or wardens employed by Orange county.

Requires the Medicaid inspector general to comply with standards relating to the audit and review of medical assistance program funds; establishes procedures, practices and standards for the adjustment or recovery of a medical assistance payment from recipients; requires notice of certain investigations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new panel within the state executive department to oversee and expand pharmaceutical insurance coverage. The panel is led by the directors of the Office for the Aging and the Department of Health, with members drawn from other state agencies who serve without pay. Its main duties include setting annual cost-sharing rules for eligible participants, entering into necessary contracts, and running an outreach program to inform residents about available prescription drug benefits. Additionally, the panel must produce an annual report detailing enrollment statistics, financial projections, and the effectiveness of its operations. To guide its work, the panel will consult with an advisory committee representing consumers, pharmacists, and drug manufacturers.

Standardizes the language across the relevant court acts to allow tenants statewide to sue in the county where the real property at issue is located in matters relating to a tenancy or lease; requires the Office of Court Administration to develop necessary forms, procedures and deliver a report.