Asm. MaryJane Shimsky

Directs NYSERDA to issue a request for proposals to identify cities, towns, or villages that are interested in participating in municipal-level energy efficiency and weatherization pilot projects to help decrease residential energy usage and reduce future capital costs for utilities; directs NYSERDA to identify three pilot areas focusing on the ability to replicate projects elsewhere and the costs and benefits to ratepayers both in the affected area and in the rest of the utility service territory.

Requires a utility corporation or municipality to notify property owners at least five business days prior to beginning any non-emergency construction or other work that will result in a planned interruption of a customer's property; requires notice to include, but not be limited to, a description of the work to be performed, the expected duration of such work, the location of such work, and the contact information for the utility performing such work; exempts cases where a natural or man-made disaster or state of emergency occurs.

Prohibits artificial intelligence companions from using features which are considered unsafe for minors; defines terms; specifies what are considered unsafe features.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A10299) adds personal income tax filings as a new method for New York residents to register for organ, eye, and tissue donation through the Donate Life Registry. It requires tax forms subject to mandatory electronic filing to include a clear checkbox asking: "Would you like to be added to the Donate Life Registry? Check box for 'yes' or 'skip this question'." This expands existing registration options - like driver's license applications and health insurance forms - to include tax documents. The policy change directly affects all New York residents who file taxes electronically, making donation registration more accessible during routine tax submissions. The bill amends Public Health Law Section 4310 to formalize this process.

Provides for the protection of health information; establishes requirements for communications to individuals about their health information; requires either written consent or a designated necessary purpose for the processing of an individual's health information.

Establishes uniform definitions, standardized procedures, and uniform applications or forms, for determining a medical emergency, life-support equipment and designation of elderly, blind and disabled customers protected from termination of utility services.

Requires each board of education to adopt a written policy for reconsideration of school library materials and make such policy available on its website; requires such policies to include provisions for the creation of a reconsideration committee to review complaints regarding school library materials; requires the commissioner of education to develop one or more model policies for school districts.

Directs the department of transportation to conduct a comprehensive study of highway construction and maintenance worker safety; directs the department to gather feedback from stakeholders; requires the department to submit a report on its findings and recommendations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurers in New York to cover speech therapy for stuttering, directly affecting people with stuttering who need this treatment. Insurers must cover all costs for therapy (including both habilitative and rehabilitative treatment) when recommended by a physician, with no limits on the number of visits or duration. Coverage may be denied only if therapy is already provided through school-based education plans (like IEPs), but insurers must still cover supplemental therapy outside of school settings when a physician refers the patient. The law applies to all individual, group, and health service corporation insurance policies issued or renewed after its effective date.

Prohibits the use of surveillance pricing, directly or indirectly; prohibits the collection, use, retention, or sharing of data to facilitate surveillance pricing; provides exceptions; provides for enforcement by the attorney general; makes related provisions.