Asm. Rebecca Seawright

Maddy summaryBill A 1906 requires the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to create a system for notifying its customers about bed bug infestations. This system must inform passengers on subways, trains, and buses within 24 hours of discovering an infestation. The bill suggests methods for notification could include the MTA's webpage, email, or text messages. This aims to provide timely information to individuals who use MTA public transit services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state correctional facilities to provide incarcerated individuals with free voice communication services, including calls made to and from their families or legal representatives. The legislation mandates that these services cannot be replaced by in-person visit programs and prohibits facilities from generating revenue from communication services. It also ensures that existing contracts for communication services must end by March 31, 2026, while new contracts are subject to the free service requirement starting April 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in New York to cover the full cost of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) vaccine, adding it to the list of mandatory immunizations insurers must reimburse. It directly affects insurance companies, healthcare providers, and patients by mandating coverage for this specific vaccine alongside others like measles, polio, and tetanus. The key mechanism amends insurance law to explicitly include "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2" in the required vaccine coverage list, meeting U.S. public health standards. It also allows certified pharmacists to administer these vaccines in pharmacies. The law applies to insurance contracts effective January 1 after enactment.

Relates to the certification of registered nurse anesthetists; provides that for such certification an applicant shall file an application, be licensed as a registered professional nurse, have satisfactorily completed educational preparation for the administration of anesthesia by an accredited entity and pay a fee; specifies who may represent themself as a registered nurse anesthetist.

Enacts the "New York state teleworking expansion act"; provides that each state agency shall establish a policy and program to allow employees to perform all or a portion of their duties through teleworking to the maximum extent possible without diminished employee performance.

Relates to available transportation for correction facility visitation; provides for at a minimum, bimonthly free transportation from the city of New York, Rochester, Syracuse, Buffalo and Albany.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 7013) requires New York State to implement a standardized episodic payment system for certified home health agencies by October 1, 2025, affecting all Medicaid managed care plans, child health insurance plans, and Essential Plans operating in the state. It mandates that the state commissioner notify these plans that episodic payments are the standard method for covering home health services, emphasizing their role in improving patient care and reducing avoidable hospital costs. The bill allows managed care plans and home health agencies to agree on alternative payment rates, including value-based options tied to health outcomes. This change directly modifies how home health services are funded and accessed within New York's Medicaid and insurance systems.

Establishes standards for the closure of bank accounts in the state of New York to include providing notice of closure and the return of funds to account owners.

Imposes owner liability for failure of an operator to comply with traffic control indicators within the city of New York through the use of traffic control indicator cameras.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits mandatory arbitration clauses in consumer contracts for goods or services intended for personal, family, or household use. It requires that any arbitration clause included in such contracts must be printed in 16-point font or larger. The law applies to businesses selling consumer goods or services within the state. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $250 for a first offense and $500 for subsequent offenses.