Sen. Leroy Comrie

Maddy summaryS 2450 adds "gaming disorder" to the Mental Hygiene Law by defining it as addictive behavior meeting the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases (ICD) criteria. This change directly affects individuals seeking mental health treatment for gaming-related issues and the healthcare providers who diagnose and treat such conditions under the law. The bill does not create new programs or funding but formally recognizes gaming disorder within existing mental health classification systems. It became effective immediately upon enactment after being referred to the Mental Health committee on January 17, 2025.

Relates to the recovery of costs for the response costs and damages to natural resources as a result of the illegal disposal of waste; establishes that expenditures made by the department as a result of the illegal disposal of waste shall be a lien against the person who is responsible for such illegal disposal.

Requires that an entity which pays funds which are profits from a crime, as defined by statute, to a family member, including a former spouse, of a person charged with or convicted of a crime, give notice of such payment of funds to the office of victim services.

Enacts the bucks for boilers act, which creates a program to aid in transition of housing units to electric heat pumps and other high energy efficiency upgrades.

Establishes the nail salon minimum standards council act; establishes the nail salon minimum standards council which shall investigate wages and standards within the nail salon industry and submit recommendations on minimum wages, regulations and standards for nail salon workers.

Relates to the personal information of a credit or debit card holder; adds zip code, e-mail address and home, cell and work telephone numbers to the personal information protected.

Enacts the "mandatory arbitration & business licensing act"; provides that no state agency or local government shall issue or renew a covered license to any person that refuses to certify that such person will not, as the owner or operator of a business or provider of services in the state or a local government operating pursuant to such license; makes related provisions.

Enacts the "gender identity respect, dignity and safety act"; relates to the treatment and placement of incarcerated individuals based upon gender identity; requires that incarcerated individuals in state and local correctional facilities who have a gender identity different from their assigned sex at birth be addressed and have access to commissary items, clothing and other materials that are consistent with the person's gender identity; establishes that incarcerated individuals shall be placed in a correctional facility with persons of the gender that most closely aligns with such person's self-attested gender identity unless the person opts out of such placement.

Provides that any landlord that is in mortgage foreclosure due to loss of rent payments cannot enter into a state of foreclosure until a court handling a special proceeding to recover rent resolves any rent issues.

Maddy summaryS 5341 exempts certain large group life insurance policies (with 500+ employees) from standard filing and approval requirements with New York's insurance superintendent. It specifically applies to policies issued to "large group policyholders" managed by a "qualified benefits manager" (a fiduciary with specific education/experience). Insurers must still file an annual list of these exempt policies but face limited superintendent oversight - disapproval authority is restricted, and policies must meet minimum protection standards. The bill also clarifies that exempt policies must contain a notice stating they are not subject to state filing requirements.