Asm. Harvey Epstein

Removes certain requirements on what the office of children and family services can determine to be an appropriate staff/child ratios for family day care homes, group family day care homes, school age day care programs and day care centers.

Directs the independent developmental disability ombudsman program to establish a service delivery structure based in New York state that includes a toll-free telephone hotline, an interactive website, and availability of in-person, telephone and email access to ombudsman program staff or volunteers; to provide assistance for navigating and completing processes; to assist individuals in filing and preparing appeals; to assist individuals with any problems encountered; and to educate individuals on their rights and responsibilities with respect to access to services provided by the office for people with developmental disabilities and care coordination provided by health homes serving individuals with developmental disabilities or services provided by other providers.

Prohibits health insurers, health care plans and HMOs from requiring prior authorization for pre-exposure prophylaxis used to prevent HIV infection, provided that the health insurer, health care plan or HMO can confirm that the insured prescribed pre-exposure prophylaxis has tested negative for HIV within the previous one hundred and twenty days.

Directs the division of criminal justice services to establish a program for the care of retired law enforcement dogs which shall cover the cost of veterinary care for retired law enforcement dogs for the remainder of the lifetime of such dogs.

Conforms the definition of an incarcerated individual with a serious mental illness to the definition of "person with a serious mental illness" in the mental hygiene law.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for how government meetings can be held online, primarily affecting public bodies like city councils and county boards. It requires these groups to create clear written plans for remote participation, ensuring that elected officials generally attend in person while allowing appointed members to join remotely if needed. The legislation also mandates that all online meetings be recorded with closed captions, made available on official websites, and advertised with specific details about how the public can view or join them. Additionally, the bill clarifies that during declared emergencies, officials may relax the requirement for members to be physically present if holding an in-person meeting is not feasible.

Includes additional community districts in which pilot programs to address the legalization or conversion of certain basement and cellar dwellings can be established by local law.

Establishes the "earned time act" providing for time allowances against the term or maximum term of sentences imposed by the court to be credited on an annual pro rata basis.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the legal definitions and penalties for criminal mischief in the third and second degrees. It raises the monetary threshold for third-degree criminal mischief from $250 to $1,000 and increases the threshold for second-degree criminal mischief from $1,000 to $3,500. Additionally, the bill modifies the criteria for third-degree charges to include cases where a person breaks into a locked vehicle to steal property, provided they have a specific prior conviction history. These changes affect individuals charged with property damage and adjust the severity of the associated felony classifications. The new provisions are set to take effect on November 1st of the year following its enactment.

Expands definition of eligible senior citizen and disabled person to include any member of the tenant's household lawfully occupying the premises as such person's residence who is 62 years of age with respect to condominium and cooperative conversion to provide protection to disabled and senior citizen non-purchasing residents of buildings that undergo cooperative or condominium conversions under an eviction plan even where such residents are not tenants of record in the buildings.