Asm. Harvey Epstein

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts student loan servicers from New York's licensing requirements under banking law, directly affecting companies that manage student loan accounts in the state. It requires these exempt servicers to notify the state superintendent they are operating in New York and comply with specific existing regulations covering student loan practices and financial services. The law removes a licensing barrier while maintaining oversight through notification and adherence to established rules. The bill became law on December 5, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Creates the state office of the utility consumer advocate to represent interests of residential utility customers including a proposed change of rates, charges, terms and conditions of service, the adoption of rules, regulations, guidelines, orders, standards or final policy decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 16-member task force within New York's Department of Labor to address unemployment among people with disabilities. The task force, including representatives from state agencies, disability organizations, labor, business, and people with disabilities themselves, will study employment barriers and review successful programs. Its key duties include developing strategies to increase competitive integrated employment (meaningful jobs in regular workplaces), ensuring state agencies model inclusive hiring, and making recommendations within two years. The task force must report annually to the governor and legislature, with findings made publicly available online. This directly affects state agencies, employers, and people with disabilities seeking meaningful work opportunities.

Requires that health insurance policies shall provide coverage for follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer; provides that no patient cost sharing shall be imposed for follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most health insurance plans in New York to cover one rescue inhaler and one maintenance inhaler for asthma treatment at no cost to the patient. It applies to all medical, major medical, and comprehensive health insurance policies that cover prescription drugs, directly affecting asthma patients who rely on these medications. Insurers must provide this coverage without deductibles, copayments, or other cost-sharing, with a narrow exception only for high-deductible plans that would otherwise disqualify patients from health savings accounts. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, for all new or renewed policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2311) prohibits local health offices from charging fees when issuing certificates for stillbirths or fetal deaths. It directly affects parents or families seeking official documentation for pregnancy losses. The law amends public health regulations to remove all fees for these specific certificates, replacing previous fee structures. The bill passed both legislative chambers in 2025 and was signed into law on November 21, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill would prevent mortgage lenders from penalizing borrowers who don't set high enough rental rates on properties covered by their mortgages. It voids any mortgage clause requiring minimum rents or punishing low rents, applying to all mortgages regardless of when they were created, renewed, or modified. The law directly affects property owners with mortgages who might face fees or default penalties for not meeting arbitrary rent minimums. This policy change ensures lenders cannot enforce such clauses as against public policy.

Creates a department of health education and outreach program on reproductive health services for consumers, patients, educators, and health care providers related to reproductive health services available in New York state including, but not limited to: access to family planning services such as contraceptives and pregnancy testing, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections; makes related provisions.

Enacts the low impact landscaping rights act, preventing homeowners' associations from adopting or enforcing any rules or regulations that would effectively prohibit, or impose unreasonable limitations on, the installation or maintenance of low impact landscaping.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a new option for New York residents to register for the Donate Life Registry (which facilitates organ, eye, and tissue donations) through mandatory electronic personal income tax filings. It requires the state to include a clear checkbox on tax forms asking, "Would you like to be added to the Donate Life Registry? Check box for 'yes' or 'skip this question'." This expands existing registration methods - which include driver's license applications, health insurance enrollment, and college financial aid forms - to include tax filings for those required to file electronically. The change applies to all taxpayers submitting income tax documents via electronic means, making organ donation registration more accessible during routine state interactions.