Asm. Amy Paulin

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the state constitution to allow the legislature to adjust the number of justices on the supreme court in any judicial district. It sets a population-based limit: the number of justices cannot exceed one per 50,000 residents (or any fraction over 30,000) based on the latest census. The legislature may also reduce justices, but not below the current number in any district. The proposed change requires voter approval in the 2026 general election.

Establishes a system of merit selection of judges of the state's major trial courts instead of elections and for the designation of certain justices of the supreme court; affects certain courts including the supreme court, surrogate's court, the New York city civil court, the New York city criminal court and the district court.

Relates to the redistricting of congressional and state legislative districts and to redistricting in the event that another state has acted to determine the district lines for congressional offices more than once in less than ten years.

Relates to the qualification of voters; provides that a citizen who is seventeen years of age at the time of a primary election and who will be eighteen years of age at the time of the general election for which such primary election is held, shall be eligible to vote in such primary election.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 7.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for specific human services programs effective April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026. It directly affects providers of mental health, developmental disability, and addiction services (including clinics, residential programs, and outpatient care) by requiring them to use the COLA funds to provide at least a 2.6% targeted salary increase for eligible staff. The COLA applies to programs funded or certified by the Office of Mental Health, Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, and Office of Addiction Services and Supports. This adjustment is inclusive of other inflation factors for the specified period, excluding federal pandemic relief programs.

Provides that the prescribing, dispensing, or receipt of mifepristone or any drug used for medication abortion shall not be considered a criminal conversion act under certain circumstances; provides that mifepristone or any drug used for medication abortion shall not be deemed to be adulterated or misbranded under certain circumstances.

Maddy summaryBill A 3350 requires nursing homes to inform their residents about their right to seek legal assistance. It specifically mandates that a statement be provided to patients regarding their right to legal counsel when applying for Medicaid and/or Medicare benefits. This bill amends the public health law to ensure nursing home residents are aware of this option during the benefit application process.

Prohibits the sale of foods containing synthetic color additives in schools except under certain circumstances off and away from the premises or on premises at least a half hour after the end of the school day.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in New York to cover specific non-drug treatments and non-opioid medications for chronic pain. It mandates that policies provide at least three types of non-pharmacological treatments (including restorative like massage, behavioral like therapy, and complementary like acupuncture) plus two FDA-approved non-opioid drugs, with coverage comparable to other medical services. Insurers cannot apply stricter financial requirements (like higher copays) or treatment limits (such as prior authorization) for non-opioid options than they do for opioid treatments. The law directly affects all health insurers and policyholders who receive pain management coverage under state-regulated plans.

Requires insurers to pay a licensed home care services agency for work provided by a personal care aide or a home health aide with temporary protected status or other visa status; requires the licensed home services agency to have made a good faith effort to establish the employment eligibility of personal care aide or a home health aide consistent with federal regulation and statutes.