Asm. Jeffrey Dinowitz

Provides for the licensure of school psychology practitioners; authorizes the use of the title "licensed school psychology practitioner" to licensed or exempt individuals; defines practice of licensed school psychology practitioners; sets forth requirements for professional licensure (including educational attainment, experience, exam and fee); provides for issuance of limited permits under specified circumstances; identifies exempt persons.

Defines the practice of certified registered nurse anesthetist; requires collaboration with a licensed physician qualified to determine the need for anesthesia services; requires licensing; defines qualifications.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates how the state calculates payment rates for federally qualified health centers to better reflect their actual operating costs. It requires the health department to analyze cost data from the previous five years, taking into account factors like the scope of services, staffing needs, and technology expenses. Starting in April 2025, the department must issue new payment rates based on this analysis, explicitly removing previous caps on payments as long as they remain eligible for federal funding. The law also changes how future rate adjustments are made, shifting from a standard Medicare index to a specific market basket measure for periods after September 2025.

Includes within the class D felony of assault in the second degree, the intentional causing of physical injury to an election officer while such person is performing their assigned duties; amends aggravated harassment and obstruction of governmental administration to include election officers.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows patients to register for organ, eye, and tissue donation directly through their electronic health records, expanding the ways people can join the Donate Life Registry. It requires hospitals and electronic health record vendors to include a simple option for patients to sign up during their medical visits without charging extra fees. The law also clarifies that skipping this question or failing to check a box does not cancel any previous donation consent a person has already given. By integrating this registration into digital health tools, the bill aims to make it easier for individuals to record their wishes regarding anatomical gifts.

Allows for reimbursement of transportation costs for emergency care without prior authorization by the social services official including emergency medical transportation by an ambulance service certified under article 30 of the public health law; authorizes the commissioner of health to establish a reimbursement methodology to ensure providers are reimbursed.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits colleges and universities from using an applicant's family connection to current graduates as a factor in deciding who gets accepted. Under the new rules, schools cannot give special consideration to students based on their familial relationship to alumni, effectively ending the practice of legacy admissions. While institutions are still allowed to ask about family ties after a student has already accepted an offer, this information can only be used for data collection and not to influence the admission decision. The law takes effect on July 1st of the year following its passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a nonpartisan poll monitoring program that allows civic organizations and ballot issue committees to appoint observers at polling places. To participate, these groups must submit an application to the state Board of Elections at least 32 days before an election, providing proof of their nonpartisan status, training materials, and a volunteer pledge for their monitors. The Board reviews these applications and issues official credentials for approved monitors, who must wear badges identifying their organization while observing election procedures. The legislation aims to increase transparency by enabling qualified groups to track voting processes while maintaining strict neutrality requirements.

Enacts the "New York wildlife crossing act"; directs the department of transportation and the New York state thruway authority to identify sites along all highways, thruways and parkways in the state where wildlife crossings are most needed to increase public safety and improve habitat connectivity and create a priority list of wildlife opportunity areas where federal grant monies may be available to implement the top five projects identified.

Prohibits the sale of flavored smokeless tobacco within five hundred feet of a public or private elementary or secondary school; defines "flavored smokeless tobacco"; authorizes the commissioner to impose a civil penalty for violations.