Sen. Toby Stavisky

Establishes the climate change adaptation cost recovery program to require companies that have contributed significantly to the buildup of climate-warming greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to bear a share of the costs of needed infrastructure investments to adapt to climate change; mandates that projects funded by the program require compliance with prevailing wage requirements; requires that contracts for funded projects contain a provision that the structural iron and structural steel used or supplied in the performance of the contract or any subcontract thereto shall be produced or made in whole or substantial part in the United States, its territories or possessions; makes additional provisions; establishes the climate change adaptation fund.

Directs the superintendent of state police to develop and institute child-sensitive arrest policies and procedures for instances where police are arresting an individual who is a parent, guardian or other person legally charged with the care or custody of a child.

Establishes the warehouse worker injury reduction program; requires employers to establish an injury reduction program designed to identify and minimize the risks of musculoskeletal injuries and disorders among workers involved in performing manual materials handling tasks.

Relates to prevailing wage requirements applicable to brownfield remediation work performed under private contract as it relates to certain remediation activities, for sites that are seeking or have received a determination that the site is eligible for the tangible property credit component of the brownfield redevelopment tax credit, and the work is paid for in whole or in part by public funds.

Maddy summaryThis law requires New York state agencies that collect ancestry or ethnic origin data to create separate categories for White, Middle Eastern, and North African groups. It specifically lists major nationalities such as Egyptian, Iranian, and Lebanese, while also allowing for the selection of multiple categories by respondents. Agencies must publish this updated demographic information on their websites by December 1, 2025, with certain departments having a one-year delay until July 1, 2026. The data must be made available to the public unless it contains personal identifying information, which remains confidential.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance policies in the state that cover cancer chemotherapy to also cover scalp cooling systems, which are devices used to reduce hair loss during treatment. The law defines these systems as reusable medical devices designed specifically to cool the scalp and applies to policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. While the devices must be covered, the bill allows insurance companies to apply standard annual deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments consistent with other benefits in the same policy. This change directly affects patients undergoing chemotherapy who use these devices and the insurers that provide their coverage.

Requires health insurance policies include coverage for anesthesia for the entire duration of a procedure for which a licensed medical practitioner has issued an order for such anesthesia.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes local election boards to set up secure drop boxes where voters can return their completed absentee ballots in person. The law requires these boards to post the locations of the drop boxes on their websites and gives the state board the power to create rules ensuring the boxes are secure and properly managed. Additionally, the bill clarifies that ballots deposited in these boxes before the close of polls on election day are considered timely, even if they lack a postal service postmark. This change aims to provide another convenient method for voters to submit their ballots while maintaining specific security and timing standards.

Repeals the rebates for stock transfer tax paid; dedicates funds of the stock transfer tax fund and stock transfer incentive fund to various funds; establishes the safe water and infrastructure action program.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Governor of New York to officially designate September 25, 2024, as Bangladeshi Immigrant Day to honor the contributions of Bangladeshi Americans. The resolution recognizes the state's large Bangladeshi community, particularly in Queens, and highlights the historical significance of the date when the first speech in Bengali was delivered at the United Nations. It serves as a formal acknowledgment of the culture and achievements of immigrants from Bangladesh without creating new laws or funding.