Asm. Steve Otis

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes creating a peer support program specifically designed for first responders to help them access mental health resources. It would establish a system where trained individuals within the first responder community provide support to their colleagues facing emotional or psychological challenges. The legislation aims to integrate these peer support services into existing mental health frameworks to better address the unique stressors faced by emergency personnel. Currently, the bill is in the legislative process and has been referred to committees for further review.

Enables public libraries to access employment preparation education (EPE) funds to provide adult literacy education; sets aside one million dollars to be awarded through a competitive grant process; provides that half of such appropriation shall be set aside for libraries serving a population of one million or more.

Enacts the "New York wildlife crossing act"; directs the department of transportation and the New York state thruway authority to identify sites along all highways, thruways and parkways in the state where wildlife crossings are most needed to increase public safety and improve habitat connectivity and create a priority list of wildlife opportunity areas where federal grant monies may be available to implement the top five projects identified.

Expands the food donation and food scraps recycling program by scaling down the annual average tonnage requirement every two years until 2028; removes exceptions regarding recycler capacity.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale of medical adhesives and bandages in the state if they contain specific chemicals known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. It directly affects manufacturers, importers, and distributors by requiring them to ensure these products are free from those substances before selling them. The law allows sellers to avoid penalties if they can prove they relied on a valid certificate of compliance from the manufacturer, while also imposing daily fines for violations. The regulations will take effect on December 31, 2025, giving the industry time to adjust before the ban is enforced.

Relates to the filling of vacancies for elective offices in villages with November elections; provides such vacancies shall be filled in accordance with subdivision one of section forty-two of the public officers law.

Provides immunity from prosecution for certain individuals engaged in prostitution who are victims of or witnesses to a crime and who report such crime or assist in the investigation or prosecution.

Relates to treatment of gains from qualified opportunity zones in calculating taxable income; removes exclusion of gains on property in qualified opportunity zones in calculation of income.

Enacts the "harmful algal bloom monitoring and prevention act"; establishes the harmful algal bloom monitoring and prevention fund.

Relates to prohibiting the exclusion of coverage for losses or damages caused by exposure to lead-based paint; provides that no insurer licensed or permitted by the superintendent to provide liability coverage to rental property owners shall exclude coverage for losses or damages caused by exposure to lead-based paint.