Provides that a caregiver shall be eligible for assistance for child care under the child care block grant regardless of the hours the parent actually works.
Requires public notice and public engagement when a general hospital seeks to close entirely or a unit that provides maternity, mental health or substance use care.
Relates to the waiver of costs, fees, and expenses for persons of insufficient means; removes the phrase "poor persons" from article 11 of the civil practice law and rules and the criminal procedure law.
Directs the independent developmental disability ombudsman program to establish a service delivery structure based in New York state that includes a toll-free telephone hotline, an interactive website, and availability of in-person, telephone and email access to ombudsman program staff or volunteers; to provide assistance for navigating and completing processes; to assist individuals in filing and preparing appeals; to assist individuals with any problems encountered; and to educate individuals on their rights and responsibilities with respect to access to services provided by the office for people with developmental disabilities and care coordination provided by health homes serving individuals with developmental disabilities or services provided by other providers.
Establishes a maximum temperature in school buildings and indoor facilities; provides a definition of extreme heat condition days and the standard to measure room temperature.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of Pretrial Services to oversee and certify agencies that supervise people released from jail without paying money. The office will set minimum standards for these agencies, which must be non-profit or public entities, and explicitly bans private for-profit companies from providing these services. Certified agencies must demonstrate they can help individuals access needed support like housing, mental health care, and job training while ensuring they return to court. The bill also requires the office to publish annual reports with detailed statistics on supervision outcomes and prohibits individuals from having to pay out-of-pocket for any mandated services.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands the state's school violence prevention grant program to specifically fund anti-violence education initiatives. It allows schools to receive money for programs that provide trauma support, counseling, and education for students affected by gun violence, as long as these programs are run by nonprofit organizations and exclude any firearm training. To qualify, the funded programs must set clear goals, outline a timeline, and use specific methods to measure progress in reducing violence. The legislation also broadens the list of eligible safety activities to include safe corridors, diversity programs, and collaborative efforts with law enforcement or community groups.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes local election boards to set up secure drop boxes where voters can return their completed absentee ballots in person. The law requires these boards to post the locations of the drop boxes on their websites and gives the state board the power to create rules ensuring the boxes are secure and properly managed. Additionally, the bill clarifies that ballots deposited in these boxes before the close of polls on election day are considered timely, even if they lack a postal service postmark. This change aims to provide another convenient method for voters to submit their ballots while maintaining specific security and timing standards.
Directs the commissioner of health to do 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.
Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies the definitions of "cell" and "out-of-cell" within the state correction law to specify how much space counts as confinement versus time spent in shared areas. It defines a "cell" as a room used for sleeping or any isolated space without physical barriers that prevents meaningful group interaction, while "out-of-cell" refers to being in a shared environment conducive to socializing, recreation, meals, or receiving services like medical care and legal visits. These new definitions directly affect incarcerated individuals by establishing clear criteria for when they are considered confined versus participating in group activities, which can influence how their time is calculated and monitored. The changes take effect immediately upon passage to ensure consistency in how correctional facilities classify living and activity spaces.
