Asm. Al Taylor

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.

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.

Relates to claim settlement practices when an insurer refuses to pay or is delaying payment of a settlement; provides a policyholder a private right of action against such insurer doing business in the state who has refused or delayed payment of an insurance claim.

Enacts The New Deal for CUNY; increases the ratio of faculty and mental health counselors to full-time students; requires that certain amounts of tuition be replaced by federal, state, and city funds.

Enacts the New York civil rights cold case records collection act; directs the state archivist to create a civil rights cold case records collection; creates the civil rights cold case records review board which shall assist the archivist in the collection of civil rights cold case records.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers in New York to provide new employees with information about student loan repayment options during the hiring process. It directly affects employers hiring for entry-level positions requiring an associate's degree or higher (including post-graduate interns), starting on the bill's effective date. Employers must give newly hired workers written materials covering federal repayment plans, income-based options, consolidation, and public service loan forgiveness programs, plus links to the state's financial services resource center. The materials must be developed by the Labor Commissioner with input from higher education and financial services officials.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1660) requires New York teachers and school leaders to complete mandatory mental health-related training as part of their continuing education for license renewal. It mandates the development of course materials covering topics like identifying mental health signs, crisis de-escalation, eating disorders, and behavioral health disorders, to be included in existing continuing education requirements. Teachers must complete this training at least twice during each five-year license renewal period. The policy directly affects all licensed K-12 educators in New York who need to maintain their teaching credentials. The bill specifies that training must include evidence-based programs like Mental Health First Aid, without changing the overall 100-hour continuing education requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases New York's Medicaid savings exemption limit from approximately $225,000 to $300,000 for household resources (excluding retirement accounts). It directly affects disabled adults aged 16-64 who meet income and resource criteria, allowing them to retain more savings while qualifying for Medicaid. The key change simplifies the asset limit to a flat $300,000 threshold for one- or two-person households, replacing a previous percentage-based calculation. The policy takes effect January 1, 2026, pending federal funding approval.

Requires insurer to respond within thirty days of a written request from an insured for their health plan documents, including copies of most recent group or individual contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers with 20 or more full-time permanent employees to create a written workplace violence prevention program. The program must include specific measures to address risks like abusive conduct and bullying, such as conflict resolution training and clear reporting systems. Employers must provide annual training to all employees on identifying, reporting, and preventing workplace bullying and abusive conduct, including how to use safety procedures and access the prevention program. It directly affects covered employers across New York State and applies to all workplace settings where such risks exist. The law mandates these changes to reduce incidents of workplace violence and improve employee safety.