Sen. Joe Addabbo

Maddy summaryBill S 2240 removes the lifetime ban that prevents individuals with felony convictions from serving on a jury. It amends existing judiciary law to eliminate the automatic disqualification for past felony convictions. However, the bill clarifies that anyone currently serving a term of incarceration for a felony would still be excused from jury service while incarcerated. This change allows eligible citizens who have completed their sentences to participate in jury duty.

Enacts the "automobile insurance consumer information act"; provides for automobile insurance consumer information and complaint ranking; creates office of public insurance consumer advocate and powers and duties therefor; makes related provisions.

Prohibits the sale of flavored smokeless tobacco within five hundred feet of a public or private elementary or secondary school; defines "flavored smokeless tobacco"; authorizes the commissioner to impose a civil penalty for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows county probation departments to request temporary orders of protection during the juvenile adjustment process. It amends the family court law to explicitly include probation departments as eligible applicants for these orders, alongside other entities like the presentment agency. The change applies specifically when a juvenile is in custody under certain family court procedures or during probation adjustment under state rules. This update streamlines access to protective orders for youth involved in juvenile justice cases handled by probation.

Maddy summaryBill S 1189 establishes new licensure requirements for entities providing fiscal intermediary services for personal assistance programs. Beginning April 1, 2027, these fiscal intermediaries must obtain a license from the commissioner, a process that includes an application fee and an assessment of their character, competence, and compliance. The bill also broadens the definition of fiscal intermediaries, modifies their annual reporting obligations, and creates a confidential state registry for personal assistants that these intermediaries must maintain. This legislation directly affects fiscal intermediaries, personal assistants, and consumers utilizing these services.

Permits a school food authority to attribute moneys spent on purchases of food products from New York state farmers, growers, producers or processors made for its school breakfast program to the thirty percent of costs for school breakfast, snack and lunch service programs.

Provides for the regulation of motorized scooters including registration, safety and equipment, prohibitions on unsafe operation and insurance requirements.

Directs the commissioner of health to contract with an independent entity to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the existing methodology used to determine payment for early intervention screenings, evaluations, services and service coordination; directs recommendations on reimbursement methodology as well as needs under the program.

Enacts the good jobs guarantee program to provide workforce training and opportunities for employment for residents of New York state to secure high paying jobs through the acquisition of job skills.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1198) limits patient co-payments for physical and occupational therapy services under group health insurance policies. It requires that insurers cannot charge co-payments exceeding 20% of the total reimbursement paid to the therapy provider. The law applies to all group accident, health, or accident-and-health insurance policies covering these services, which must be provided by licensed therapists under physician referral. This change directly affects insured patients receiving physical or occupational therapy, capping their out-of-pocket costs for these covered services.