Asm. Rebecca Seawright

Waives the state's sovereign immunity to liability for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act; waives the immunity of all instrumentalities and political subdivisions of the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new task force within the Department of Labor to help state agencies hire and keep people with disabilities in competitive jobs. The group will consist of 16 members appointed by the governor, including representatives from various state departments, labor unions, businesses, and individuals with disabilities. Their main job is to study unemployment issues, review existing programs, and develop strategies to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The task force must meet at least four times a year and submit a report with recommendations to state leaders within two years of starting.

Relates to gender indication on insurance claim forms; provides policies shall not exclude coverage if gender indication is different from sex assigned at birth or gender otherwise recorded.

Establishes the "blue-ribbon commission on the future of New York state's service delivery system for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities act" to conduct a study and prepare a report to examine, evaluate and make recommendations for systemic reforms to ensure a sustainable set of supports and services that meets the evolving needs of all individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Relates to utilization review program standards; requires use of evidence-based and peer reviewed clinical review criteria; relates to prescription drug formulary changes and pre-authorization for certain health care services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state, county, and local transportation projects to prioritize safe access for all road users, including drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit riders. It mandates that agencies using complete street design principles consider these needs during the planning, design, and construction of new or rebuilt roads, while also applying these standards to maintenance projects lasting at least ten years. Additionally, the legislation updates the criteria for determining when a road project is unnecessary, adding community support as a key factor alongside traffic volume and land use. The law will not apply to projects approved before it becomes effective and will take effect approximately 260 days after passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal cause of action allowing individuals to sue for damages if their partner intentionally removes, tampers with, or misrepresents the use of a sexually protective device during consensual sexual activity. The law specifically covers scenarios where a condom, diaphragm, or similar barrier is taken off without permission, used after being tampered with, or claimed to be in use when it is not. If a plaintiff wins a case, they may receive compensation for emotional distress and risks of pregnancy or infection, along with potential punitive damages. The legislation clarifies that agreeing to sex without protection one time does not mean a person agrees to unprotected sex in the future, and it ensures that any financial awards do not reduce child support obligations.

Directs the department of health to report to the legislature on the feasibility of entering into partnerships to increase competition, lower prices, and address shortages in the market for generic prescription drugs, to reduce the cost of prescription drugs for public and private purchasers, taxpayers, and consumers, and to increase patient access to affordable drugs; makes related provisions.

Relates to arbitration organizations; requires private arbitration organizations involved in fifty or more consumer arbitrations per year to collect, publish at least quarterly, and make available to the public in a computer-searchable database certain information relating to such arbitrations; prohibits financial conflicts of interest.

Prohibits residential landlords from charging tenants a fee for a dishonored rent check in excess of the actual costs or fees incurred by such landlord as a result thereof, provided such dishonored check fee was included in the initial lease.