Asm. Nader Sayegh

Maddy summaryThis bill requires large group health insurance plans in New York to cover acupuncture services when prescribed by qualified healthcare providers (as defined under Education Law §8211). It applies to plans covering physician office services or comprehensive medical coverage, mandating coverage for acupuncture treatments but allowing reasonable cost-sharing like deductibles or co-pays. The law does not require full coverage without cost-sharing, only that plans include acupuncture as a covered service under specified conditions. It affects insurers offering large group plans and patients relying on such coverage for acupuncture treatments. The bill takes effect 90 days after enactment for new or renewed policies.

Provides for adult changing tables to be placed within an enclosed restroom facility or other similar private facility that is for use by persons with disabilities who need help with diapering at commercial places of public amusement and state-owned buildings open to the public.

Provides a filing extension for the "enhanced" STAR exemption to initial applicants provided that such applicants have not been granted such extension before and such applicants are otherwise entitled to the exemption.

Establishes a master of social work paid field practicum pilot program to provide a stipend to students who are enrolled in a master of social work program for the first 450 hours of field practicum completed towards such masters' degree; requires the office of mental health to complete a report making recommendations on how to expand the pilot program to increase the number of social workers in the state, improve representation in the field of social work, mitigate student debt and improve labor conditions for social workers upon graduation.

Includes implants, replacement dental prosthetic appliances, crowns and root canals as medically necessary dental care and services for coverage under the Medicaid program if a qualified dentist authorizes the procedures.

Requires the display of certain labels and warnings on gas stoves sold, displayed for sale, or offered for sale at retail to a consumer in this state; authorizes the department of state to adopt regulations regarding the placement and format of such labels; provides for penalties; authorizes the attorney general to enforce such provisions.

Provides that the education requirements to be licensed as a professional geologist may be partially substituted by practical experience; relates to the issuance of an identification card as a geologist in training.

Maddy summaryBill A 3459 amends existing financial services law regarding civil penalties for fraud or misrepresentation. It removes the requirement that such fraud or negligent misrepresentation of a material fact, concerning financial products or services, must be "intentional." This change broadens the scope of actions that could incur civil penalties for individuals or entities offering financial products and services. The bill directly affects those who provide financial products and services by adjusting the criteria for actionable offenses.

Authorizes, under certain circumstances, full-time college and university students to act as election inspectors and poll clerks in the election district where their college or university is located.

Provides for the sealing of unfounded, exonerated, and pending claims made against law enforcement officers; requires such claims to be redacted from disciplinary records.