Rep. Gary Pretlow

Authorizes counties with a population of one million or more persons to undertake certain public works pursuant to project labor agreements; authorizes the use of the alternative delivery method known as design-build contracts; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof.

Enacts provisions relating to collective negotiations by health care providers with certain health care plans in certain counties; applies to health benefit plans that provide benefits for medical or surgical expenses incurred as a result of a health condition, accident or sickness, including an individual, group, blanket or franchise insurance policy or insurance agreement offered by certain enumerated entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state police superintendent to investigate any accusation of misconduct filed against officers employed by towns or villages. It directly affects town and village police officers, as accusations against them would now trigger a state-level investigation instead of being handled locally. The key provision mandates that the state police must conduct these investigations for all filed accusations, creating a standardized process. This changes current practice by shifting oversight responsibility from local authorities to the state police for these specific cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's workers' compensation law to change notice requirements when employers stop paying temporary compensation or medical benefits. Employers must now provide written notice to injured workers and the workers' compensation board within 16 days after the last payment (previously 5 days), explaining the termination of payments. It also requires employers to notify the board chair within 30 days if payments cease, with a $300 penalty for late notice. These changes directly affect employers, insurance carriers, and injured workers by clarifying when and how payment stops must be communicated.

Enacts the New York state excess food act which provides for mandatory donation of consumable food products; provides mandatory composting of appropriate materials; establishes the New York state excess food fund which will be funded by fines collected from violations of the New York state excess food act.

Requires pharmacies to provide customers directly with the retail (before insurance) price of a prescription, in writing and electronically prior to purchase.

Authorizes the impoundment of vehicles operated by intoxicated or impaired persons; authorizes the release of impounded vehicles to owners of such vehicles if certain criteria is met; authorizes a reasonable fee for towing and storage of such vehicles.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes rules for a new video lottery gaming facility in Orange County. It requires 30% of the facility's revenue (after prizes) to fund horsemen's purses at Yonkers Racetrack (adjusted for inflation) and 1.25% to support breeding funds for Sullivan County racetracks. The facility must also enter binding agreements with Sullivan County and Yonkers Racetrack to address potential impacts on their revenue and employment. Additionally, the bill mandates that commercial gaming facilities in Zone Two maintain staffing levels at 90% of 2023 Q1 employment to prevent mass layoffs. These provisions directly affect Orange County operators, Sullivan County racetracks, and Yonkers Racetrack stakeholders.

Provides that all passengers of school buses must wear seat belts; exempts school bus attendants and others acting in a supervisory capacity from such requirement; requires that drivers announce "Everybody fasten your seat belts" before a school bus is placed in motion; empowers the commissioner of education to enforce such provisions; assigns a school bus attendant to each special needs student unable to comply with the seat belt requirement.

Prohibits the sale of any badge, shield, identification card or other insignia of any police department or law enforcement agency or a facsimile of such a badge or shield; imposes a civil penalty not to exceed $250 for each violation.