Asm. Rebecca Seawright

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans to reimburse providers for the full cost of administering recommended vaccines. It mandates coverage for both vaccine acquisition costs (using CDC private sector rates plus a 21% minimum for shipping/storage) and all administration expenses (including counseling, supplies, and routine nursing activities based on current Medicare rates). The law directly affects healthcare providers who administer vaccines, ensuring they are compensated for both the vaccine itself and the full process of delivery. It applies to all CDC-recommended vaccines for diseases like measles, polio, and hepatitis B, as determined by health authorities.

Makes the release of any claim by an employee, or independent contractor who is a natural person, against an employer, unenforceable if, as a condition of such resolution, the employee or independent contractor is prohibited from applying for, accepting, or engaging in future employment with such employer, or any entity or entities related to such employer.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 14-member task force within the Office for the Aging to study how the state can help older residents stay in their homes and communities ("age in place"). The task force will examine specific areas like transportation improvements, zoning changes for home care, nutrition programs, fraud protections, home medical services, tax incentives, and private insurance options. It requires the task force to issue a final report with recommendations to state leaders by January 1, 2028. The bill creates a procedural study group with no immediate policy changes, focusing solely on gathering information to inform future decisions.

Requires instruction in public schools aligned to the Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Framework; requires the commissioner of education to update learning standards on an ongoing basis and provide technical assistance and resources to aid public schools in providing such instruction.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's civil procedure law to allow courts to set aside (vacate) an arbitration award when an arbitrator "evidenced a manifest disregard of the law." It directly affects parties involved in arbitration disputes who believe an arbitrator ignored applicable legal standards. The key provision adds a specific new ground for vacating awards, requiring courts to consider whether the arbitrator's decision clearly disregarded the law. This change provides a clearer legal standard for challenging arbitration outcomes based on legal errors.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires polling places to provide a separate entrance line for voters with disabilities, with seating available for each person using this line. It mandates that polling place access alternates between this dedicated line and the general line during voting hours. The provision applies directly to voters with disabilities who need accessible polling procedures. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Prohibits fraudulent absentee ballot drop-off boxes or receptacles by making it a felony for anyone other than the board of elections to erect, display or maintain an absentee ballot drop-off box or receptacle.

Establishes the homeless protection act which designates certain offenses against homeless persons as hate crimes; includes the definition of homelessness.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates *Lactarius peckii* (a type of mushroom) as the official state fungus. It adds a new law section stating that *Lactarius peckii* shall be the official state fungus, effective immediately. The bill does not alter policies, taxes, or regulations; it is a symbolic designation for state identity. No specific groups or individuals are directly affected by this procedural change.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits school bus drivers from using hands-free mobile telephones while operating a bus carrying students. It directly affects school bus drivers during student transport, with exceptions for emergencies (like contacting emergency services) or when the bus is parked safely off the road. The law allows use of exempt devices like two-way radios for school district communication, as designated by education officials. It does not ban all phone use but specifically targets hands-free devices during active student transport.