Sen. Joe Addabbo

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow taxpayers to deduct interest paid on qualified student loans from their federal taxable income. It applies to individuals who pay interest on education loans used for higher education, directly affecting borrowers with such loans. The deduction would be calculated as specified in existing IRS rules (26 USC § 221) and would apply to tax years beginning January 1, 2026. This policy change reduces taxable income for eligible borrowers without altering current tax filing requirements.

Requires public employers who opt out of providing paid family leave benefits to provide parental leave in the alternative at the same pay rate and amount of time as paid family leave.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2610) raises the minimum age for gambling from 18 to 21 years old. It directly affects individuals under 21 and racetracks operating video lottery gaming, requiring them to prohibit participation by anyone under 21. The bill amends existing laws to update licensing conditions, ensuring racetracks comply with the new age restriction for video lottery gaming. It also requires racetracks to meet fire safety standards and maintain permanent facilities for gaming operations. The policy change is a straightforward age limit adjustment for gambling activities at licensed racetracks.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school districts to create detailed site maps for emergency response as part of school safety plans. The maps must include floor plans, school grounds layouts, road maps of surrounding areas, and specific labels like hazardous materials locations, with features like true north orientation, grid coordinates, and compatibility with existing law enforcement software. Districts must verify map accuracy through initial and annual building walkthroughs. The bill also establishes funding eligibility through school building aid for approved mapping costs, ensuring schools don't need to purchase new software to share these maps with emergency responders.

Requires schools that have a Muslim or Jewish population greater than or equal to ten percent of the student body to offer Halal food options and/or Kosher food options during lunch.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4123) ensures healthcare providers can continue using independent dispute resolution (IDR) to challenge payment rates from insurers. It directly affects doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers who are not contracted ("non-participating") with health insurance plans. The bill amends criteria that IDR entities must use when setting fair payment rates, requiring them to consider factors like provider qualifications, usual charges for similar services, regional rates for non-participating providers, and service complexity. These changes clarify how disputes over payment rates will be resolved, maintaining access to the IDR process.

Relates to claim settlement practices when an insurer refuses to pay or is delaying payment of a settlement; provides a policyholder a private right of action against such insurer doing business in the state who has refused or delayed payment of an insurance claim.

Provides free use of public campsites, parks and other public places of recreation in this state for members or citizens of state or federally recognized Native American nations.

Provides representation to veterans that are at or below four hundred percent of the federal poverty guidelines for matters involving children, sustenance and real property proceedings.

Maddy summaryS 4219 establishes the New York State Muslim American Advisory Council to advise the legislature on issues affecting Muslim Americans. The council, composed of 10 members (including community representatives and legislative appointees), will provide recommendations to improve Muslim American civic participation, social and economic integration, and access to state services. It must submit annual reports detailing findings and strategies for state programs impacting this community. The bill creates a formal mechanism for the state to engage with Muslim American leaders and address their concerns through structured policy advice.