Sen. Joe Addabbo

Authorizes the Department of Veterans' Services to consult and collaborate with relevant offices in the federal department of veterans affairs, the department of health, the state office for the aging and other HCBS experts to develop educational materials for veterans and their families about the accessibility to home and community-based services.

Directs the department of motor vehicles to develop a plan to increase the availability of wheelchair accessible vehicles, by county, in New York state outside of the city of New York; defines accessibility; requires a report to identify any existing local guidelines for accessible vehicles; directs development of benchmarks for increasing wheelchair accessible vehicles.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 8571) adds a new eligibility category for special license plates in New York. It directly affects veterans rated 100% disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, allowing them to qualify for these plates without needing additional medical certification. The key provision amends vehicle and traffic law to include paragraph (e), specifying that veterans with this VA rating automatically meet the disability criteria. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryS 7484 establishes a statewide residential families committee within New York's developmental disabilities advisory council. The committee, composed of individuals with developmental disabilities living in residential facilities or their family members/guardians (excluding facility staff or owners), will meet quarterly to advise the commissioner on care issues, recommend priorities, and hold regional meetings to gather input from residents and families. It directly affects people with developmental disabilities in community residences or care facilities and their families by creating a formal channel for their input on facility operations and care standards. The bill is pending in the Assembly after passing the Senate and is currently under review by the People with Disabilities committee.

Requires all authorities having jurisdiction over a population exceeding five thousand residents to adopt a residential automated solar permitting platform by June thirtieth, two thousand twenty-seven.

Maddy summaryS 1192 establishes an alternative resolution program within the criminal procedure law for service members and veterans accused of certain felonies. This program applies to individuals whose military service caused or exacerbated conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or substance abuse, which may have contributed to their alleged crime. Courts would identify eligible service members or veterans and order evaluations to assess their condition and its connection to the offense. The bill aims to provide treatment for these service-related ailments, with the possibility of reducing or dismissing charges upon successful completion of the treatment program.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires individuals or government departments inspecting abandoned or vacated properties to check for any companion animals that may have been left behind. If an animal is found during these inspections, the person or department must immediately contact animal control, police, or a humane society to retrieve or care for the pet, while explicitly stating they do not become the animal's owner. The legislation also imposes fines of up to $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for subsequent offenses on anyone who fails to conduct these required inspections. Additionally, the law mandates that if a tenant is present, at least seven days of notice must be given before entry, except in cases of emergency repairs.

Authorizes a veteran's close friend or family who is reasonably familiar with such veteran's wishes to request that such veteran be buried in a state veterans' cemetery.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September 22 as "Veteran Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day" in New York State. It adds this date to the state's official list of commemorative days under Section 168-a of the executive law, joining other recognized observances. The bill does not create new programs, funding, or requirements - it solely establishes a designated day for remembrance.

Requires health care plans and payors to have a minimum of twelve and one-half percent of their total expenditures on physical and mental health annually be for primary care services.