Asm. Harvey Epstein

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a bill) requesting Governor Hochul to proclaim February 7, 2025, as "Students with Disabilities Advocacy Day" in New York. It asks the Governor to officially recognize this day to raise awareness about the need for reasonable accommodations and support services for students with disabilities attending colleges and universities across New York State. The resolution highlights that over 90,000 such students are enrolled in New York's higher education institutions. The measure does not create new policies or funding but seeks to honor existing efforts and promote inclusion in education.

Relates to permitting the sale or distribution of expanded polystyrene containers that are designed or intended to be used for cold storage for certain tissues, temperature sensitive health and safety samples, cultures, and reagents, and microbial cultures.

Authorizes the commissioner of health to adopt policies to exclude certain non-recurring items from income that would artificially inflate the availability of funds to meet current needs relating to eligibility for the program for elderly pharmaceutical insurance coverage.

Provides for the protection of health information; establishes requirements for communications to individuals about their health information; requires either written consent or a designated necessary purpose for the processing of an individual's health information.

Maddy summaryThis resolution requests Governor Kathy Hochul to officially designate January 2025 as "Mentoring Month" in New York State, aligning with National Mentoring Month. It does not create new laws or policies but symbolically recognizes mentoring's role in supporting youth development, college readiness, and community engagement. The resolution cites statistics showing mentoring's positive impact on at-risk students' educational outcomes and leadership opportunities. As a procedural memorial, it has no direct effect on legislation or affected groups but aims to raise public awareness.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a substantive bill. It asks Governor Hochul to officially proclaim January 15, 2025, as "Bagel Day" in New York State to coincide with National Bagel Day. The resolution highlights bagels' historical ties to New York's Jewish immigrant communities and small businesses. It has no legal effect or policy changes - it is purely symbolic recognition. The Assembly adopted it on January 14, 2025, and will send it to the Governor for consideration.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new legal framework for nursing home operators in New York who wish to close their facilities. It requires operators to submit a detailed closure plan at least 90 days in advance, which must include steps for notifying residents, assessing their needs, and arranging transfers to alternative care settings. The plan must be approved by state health officials before any closure actions can begin, and operators are prohibited from raising fees or accepting new residents during the transition period. Additionally, the bill mandates that local officials and community boards review the proposed closure to ensure it is not motivated by unsafe conditions and that residents' medical records are preserved and accessible.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York state-owned parking facilities with at least 50 spaces to install electric vehicle charging stations in a percentage of spots ranging from 10% to 20%, depending on the facility's total size. The Office of General Services is tasked with installing and maintaining these stations, which must meet specific electrical capacity standards, and is authorized to hire licensed electricians if upgrades to the power system are needed. The law applies to public, employee, and pay-per-use parking areas and would have taken effect on April 1 of the following year. However, the bill was vetoed by the Governor in December 2024 and subsequently tabled, meaning it did not become law.

Requires the owner or operator of a vessel to establish and maintain with the department evidence of financial responsibility sufficient to meet the amount of liability.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the laws governing wrongful death lawsuits to clarify exactly what types of money can be awarded to the surviving family members of a deceased person. It explicitly allows juries or courts to grant compensation for funeral costs, medical bills incurred before death, grief, and the loss of financial support, guidance, and companionship. The legislation also defines who is eligible to receive these damages, including spouses, domestic partners, children, parents, and individuals who stood in a parent-like role to the deceased. Additionally, the bill sets specific rules for how the awarded money must be shared among eligible survivors based on their individual losses and outlines how legal fees and other expenses are handled.