Asm. Gary Pretlow

Enacts provisions providing protection to employees from retaliatory actions by employers where such employees report improper business activities; applicable to employees who in good faith reasonably believe that an improper business activity has or will occur, based on information that the employees reasonably believe to be true; provides remedies and relief.

Bans open pickup trucks on the historic ten and one-half mile section of the Bronx River Parkway, beginning in the city of Yonkers and the village of Bronxville where such Parkway diverges from the Sprain Brook Parkway and extends north along the Bronx River Parkway Reservation to the Kenisco Dam Plaza in the hamlet of Valhalla, town of Mt. Pleasant.

Relates to transportation management brokers; provides that transportation management brokers are no longer required to manage the transportation services for Medicaid beneficiaries.

Equips all ambulances and emergency ambulance service vehicles with stop-arms; provides rules and regulations shall be promulgated to provide for such equipment.

Authorizes the commissioner of education to appoint a monitor to oversee the Mount Vernon city school district; establishes the powers and duties of such monitor.

Permits insurers to provide certain loss prevention and risk management electronics, equipment, devices or special offers to insureds and prospective insureds.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it illegal for a person to act as a "runner" (get paid to recruit patients or clients for healthcare or legal services) or to hire/solicit someone to do so, specifically to claim insurance or government benefits. It creates three levels of offenses: a misdemeanor for basic violations, and felonies for larger-scale or higher-value activity ($2,500+ or 5+ times for second degree; $5,000+ or 10+ times for first degree). The law excludes legitimate activities like using public media (newspapers, ads) or legal referrals. It directly affects providers (like doctors or lawyers) who hire recruiters and the recruiters themselves, but not those using standard advertising.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Eastchester Creek Intermunicipal Economic Revitalization Agency, a joint body for the city of Mount Vernon and village of Pelham Manor. It defines a specific geographic area (231 acres in Mount Vernon and a triangular zone in Pelham Manor) where the agency will operate to advance economic development. The bill authorizes Pelham Manor to adjust its local sales tax rate within this designated area to match Mount Vernon's rate, creating uniform tax treatment for businesses and residents in the shared zone. The agency must follow existing zoning laws and coordinate with both municipalities on land use decisions.

Relates to chemical testing for prospective foster parents; includes, but is not limited to drug and alcohol testing; authorizes office of children and family services to issue random chemical testing, including but not limited to, drug testing, to foster parents.

Authorizes a statewide toll free hotline run by the state police with reward for reporting conduct of drivers leading to conviction of the crime of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; imposes an additional surcharge upon conviction of all criminally drunk or drugged drivers to fund expenses and rewards.