Sen. Iwen Chu

Authorizes municipalities to offer a real property tax exemption for property owned by certain persons performing active duty in a combat zone in an amount to the extent of fifteen percent of the assessed value of the real property, but shall not exceed twelve thousand dollars.

Relates to requiring the establishment of automatic payment plans; requires utility companies headquartered in New York to establish a statewide program to provide eligible participants with affordable payment plans.

Requires child protective services to orally and in writing disclose certain information to parents and caretakers who are the subject of a child protective services investigation; requires such oral and written disclosure to contain certain information regarding the rights of the person under investigation.

Directs the metropolitan transportation authority and the New York city transit authority to rename the 23rd Street subway station to the 23 St-Baruch College station.

Enables public libraries to access employment preparation education (EPE) funds to provide adult literacy education; sets aside one million dollars to be awarded through a competitive grant process; provides that half of such appropriation shall be set aside for libraries serving a population of one million or more.

Provides for the suspension of the collection of tolls on public roads during a state declaration of disaster emergency on the New York state thruway.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the previous limit on how long a licensed physical therapist can treat a patient without a doctor's referral. It allows therapists to provide care directly to patients who do not have a referral from a physician, dentist, podiatrist, nurse practitioner, or midwife. Under the new rules, therapists must refer patients if symptoms suggest conditions outside their scope, maintain communication with the patient's primary care provider if one exists, and inform patients in writing that insurance may not cover the treatment without a referral. The law also requires therapists to keep a signed record of this notice in the patient's file.

Includes contacts via text, email, private message, direct message or other electronic communication in the definition of the offense of aggravated harassment in the second degree.

Sets reimbursement rates for essential safety net hospitals at no less than regional average commercial rates for health care services provided by all hospitals in the same geographic region.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors Koji Sato for his efforts to recognize Fred Korematsu's legacy and his work promoting Japanese and Japanese-American history. The measure acknowledges Sato's leadership roles in organizations like the Japanese American Association of New York and the U.S.-Japan Council, as well as his contributions to fostering relations between the United States and Japan. The bill directs the legislative body to pause its proceedings to formally commend Sato and instructs that a copy of the resolution be sent to him.