Asm. Alex Bores

Relates to returnable bottles; adds noncarbonated soft drinks, certain noncarbonated fruit or vegetable juices, coffee and tea beverages, carbonated fruit beverages and cider to the definition of "beverage"; provides that beginning April 1, 2027, the handling fee will be six cents for each beverage container accepted by a deposit initiator from a dealer or operator of a redemption center; directs the multi-agency bottle bill fraud investigation team to submit a report on findings of pervasive bottle redemption fraud in New York state.

Requires all insurance policies and health maintenance organization contracts to provide coverage for maternity patients and their newborns for hospital stays of at least 48 hours following childbirth by natural delivery and 96 hours following childbirth by caesarean section; provides such coverage for patients who are recipients of medicaid.

Provides for a working families tax credit; directs quarterly prepayment of the credit; provides for a sliding reduction in the credit for incomes which exceed a certain threshold.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits importing live bait fish (as defined in state law) for use in inland fishing within New York. It directly affects individuals or businesses importing live fish for bait, such as anglers or bait shops. Violators face a class A misdemeanor charge and fines of up to $20 per illegally possessed fish. The law takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryBill A 1254, the "E-BIKES Act," requires businesses using electric assist bicycles to mandate that employees and independent contractors who ride them complete an annual online safety video. The video, created by the state department, covers safe operation in traffic, pedestrian interactions, battery safety, and bike storage. Businesses must ensure all affected workers watch the video within the previous year, with non-compliance risking $1,000 civil penalties per violation. The law takes effect 18 months after enactment, with the video to be updated annually to reflect current safety practices.

Establishes the New York Health program, a comprehensive system of access to health insurance for New York state residents; provides for administrative structure of the plan; provides for powers and duties of the board of trustees, the scope of benefits, payment methodologies and care coordination; establishes the New York Health Trust Fund which would hold monies from a variety of sources to be used solely to finance the plan; enacts provisions relating to financing of New York Health, including a payroll assessment, similar to the Medicare tax; establishes a temporary commission on implementation of the plan; provides for collective negotiations by health care providers with New York Health.

Maddy summaryThis bill significantly expands eligibility for judicial diversion programs, allowing individuals charged with a broader range of offenses to participate if they have a "qualifying diagnosis." This diagnosis includes serious mental disorders, other mental health disorders causing severe functional impairment, or substance use disorders. While most Class A felonies and Class B sexual offenses are generally excluded, the bill establishes a new "diversion part" in each county. It also redefines "treatment" within these programs to include evidence-based interventions outside of carceral settings.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's election law to establish rules for designating polling places. It prohibits public school buildings from being used as polling locations (including for "early voting" as referenced in the text) and requires election boards to prioritize public buildings when selecting sites. The bill also allows religious organizations to host polling places without requiring Saturday voter registration if it conflicts with their religious practices, and mandates accessible spaces for disabled voters in designated locations. These changes affect local election boards, municipalities, and polling place operators by standardizing site selection and accessibility requirements.

Increases the penalties for leaving the scene of an accident involving an electric scooter without reporting in the second degree and leaving the scene of an accident involving an electric scooter without reporting in the first degree; provides increased penalties for leaving the scene of an accident involving a wheeled non-motorized means of conveyance without reporting in the first and second degrees when the vehicle involved is a bicycle with an electric assist system.

Establishes the diversity in investment act requiring certain venture capital companies to report diversity information about its funding determinations; requires reports to be published on the venture capital companies' websites; establishes penalties for failure to complete and publish such reports.