Sen. Tony Palumbo

Maddy summaryS 3601 allows certified dietitians and nutritionists to order therapeutic diets - including specialized nutrition support like tube feeding - in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities. The bill expands their scope of practice to include prescribing, managing, and monitoring these diets, removing prior requirements for physician orders. Facility medical directors or governing bodies must confirm the professional’s competency before they can provide these services. The law takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New York State's requirements for mental health counselors seeking licensure from other states. It allows out-of-state applicants to obtain a license if their home state's standards are similar to New York's, they demonstrate recent competency (through work or education), and have no disqualifying disciplinary history. The bill also creates a temporary "provisional license" enabling practice while completing final requirements, valid until a license is denied, expires, or terms are violated. It does not override existing reciprocity rules but clarifies the process for cross-state licensure.

Prohibits retaliatory actions by employers against employees for disclosure of activity which violates a company internal control implemented to prevent fraud or which the employee believes to be fraudulent; makes amendment to whistleblower statute in 2021 retroactive to 2018.

Relates to special provisions for the operation of bicycles when approaching stop signs and traffic-control signals including steady circular red signals and red arrow signals.

Relates to qualifying offenses for pre-trial detention; adds class B felonies under article two hundred twenty of the penal law as qualifying offenses.

Gives justice courts limited equity powers to compel compliance with local zoning, building and fire prevention codes; grants justice courts the authority to issue injunctions and temporary restraining orders relating thereto.

Renames the Governor Mario M. Cuomo bridge the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Tappan Zee bridge; directs the commissioner of transportation to provide for the installation and maintenance of adequate signing of the state highway system.

Waives Unemployment Pandemic Benefits repayments in whole or in part if the payment of such pandemic unemployment assistance was without fault on the part of the claimant and such repayment would be contrary to equity and good conscience.

Establishes a high school robotics grant program; provides funding to high schools for participation in robotics competitions; sets forth eligibility requirements; provides for the application and awards process.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1556) adjusts New York State personal income tax thresholds to automatically rise with inflation starting in 2026. It requires the state tax commissioner to increase key tax amounts - like income tax brackets, standard deductions, and certain calculation thresholds - each year using the federal Chained Consumer Price Index (C-CPI-U). This change directly affects all New York residents who file personal income tax returns, preventing their tax burden from increasing solely due to inflation. The adjustments will be rounded to the nearest $50 increment and take effect immediately, though the first adjustment applies to the 2026 tax year.