Asm. Steve Otis

Maddy summaryBill A 1441 strengthens complaint handling procedures for all public utility customers, not just residential ones. It requires utility corporations and municipalities to provide written investigation results for billing or deposit complaints within 15 or 30 business days, respectively, including supporting documentation. The bill prohibits service termination for nonpayment while a complaint is pending, provided the customer pays the undisputed portion of their bill. Additionally, it imposes daily penalties on utilities and municipalities for failing to meet these new response deadlines.

Prohibits public employers from diminishing health insurance benefits provided to Medicare-eligible retirees and their Medicare-eligible dependents or the contributions such employer makes for such health insurance coverage below the level of such benefits or contributions made on behalf of such retirees and dependents by the public employer as of December 31, 2021.

Directs the commissioner of education to change the name of the state high school equivalency diploma, formerly known as the general education development (GED) program, to the Excelsior diploma.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires schools to immediately notify a child's parents when an allegation of child abuse is made against that child in an educational setting. The law mandates that schools provide parents with a written statement explaining their rights and responsibilities, and ensures that reports are forwarded to law enforcement without delay. Additionally, the bill requires schools to inform superintendents when written reports are received and to document the source and basis of any allegations made by individuals other than the child or their parents. These changes apply to all educational institutions and aim to ensure parents are informed promptly about abuse allegations involving their children.

Enacts the "packaging reduction and recycling infrastructure act" to require companies selling, offering for sale, or distributing packaging materials and products to register with a packaging reduction organization to develop a packaging reduction and recycling plan; makes related provisions.

Establishes a standardized statewide system for collecting, recording, and monitoring winter road maintenance operational data in order to improve efficiency, enhance transparency, and support the protection of water resources in the state of New York; requires calibration of all deicing material application equipment used for winter highway maintenance on public roads.

Relates to coercive control; provides that the family court and the criminal courts shall have concurrent jurisdiction over acts which constitute coercive control; provides that courts may issue orders of protection upon a finding of coercive control; directs the office of court administration, in consultation with the office for the prevention of domestic violence and certain organizations, to develop and administer training for judges and court clerks on coercive control.

Requires Medicaid to cover gender-affirming care regardless of federal funding; prohibits discriminatory practices by health care entities including hospitals, certain professionals, and insurers; requires insurance coverage for services or treatments for gender dysphoria or gender incongruence.

Relates to establishing a voluntary waiver of the right to purchase firearms, rifles or shotguns; requires the division of state police to maintain statewide records of individuals who have waived the right to purchase firearms, rifles, or shotguns and any revocations of such waivers.

Prohibits the sale and distribution of anti-fogging sprays or wipes containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances; provides penalties for violations.