Provides lifetime, premium-free insurance through the New York state of health marketplace to a person who donates a kidney during the course of their lifetime; establishes the kidney donor insurance fund.
Maddy summarySenate Bill S 856 reorganizes the State Commission of Correction by expanding its membership from three to nine individuals. The bill diversifies the appointment process, allowing the Governor, Speaker of the Assembly, Temporary President of the Senate, and the Correctional Association to each appoint members. It also mandates that the commission include members with specific professional backgrounds, such as formerly incarcerated individuals, health professionals, and attorneys. Additionally, the bill establishes a ten-year term limit for commissioners and alters the process for designating the chairperson and removing members.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 246) amends New York’s Social Services Law to expand asset exemptions for people applying to or receiving public assistance programs like SNAP or Medicaid. It increases the cash/liquid resource exemption from $2,500 to $10,500 for most applicants, adds new exemptions for education savings ($5,165), vehicle purchase accounts ($7,500), burial plots, funeral agreements, retirement accounts, and 529 college savings plans. The bill also clarifies that home ownership, one vehicle (with rising value limits), and specific reparations payments (for Japanese-American internment victims and Nazi persecution survivors) are not counted toward eligibility. These changes directly affect low-income households by allowing them to retain more assets while qualifying for aid. The bill updates existing exemptions under the Welfare Reform Act to align with current needs and federal guidelines.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 330) requires courts to review criminal sentences that are illegal or "unduly harsh or severe," even if a defendant previously waived their right to appeal. It amends the criminal procedure law to mandate that courts modify such sentences by reversing the sentencing portion while upholding the conviction. The law directly affects defendants serving criminal sentences deemed excessive by appellate courts, providing a mechanism to correct disproportionate punishments without requiring the defendant to formally challenge the sentence.
Creates an affordable housing insurance relief fund program to provide grants to eligible projects for reasonable and necessary commercial insurance expenses.
Maddy summarySenate Bill S 7594 requires health insurers participating in the New York State of Health marketplace to offer at least one dental plan. This bill specifically mandates that these plans be available for individuals aged 65 and older. It amends current public health law to ensure that qualified or approved dental plans are offered through the state's health insurance marketplace. The bill aims to provide more dental coverage options for senior citizens.
Maddy summaryS 1791 eliminates asset limits for households receiving public assistance in New York, meaning people can keep more savings and property while still qualifying for benefits. The bill removes specific dollar thresholds for assets like cash (currently capped at $2,500), vehicles, homes, burial plots, and education funds that previously disqualified households from aid. It directly affects low-income families and individuals enrolled in programs like family assistance or medical assistance under New York's social services law. The change simplifies eligibility by disregarding all household assets in benefit calculations, aligning with federal requirements where applicable.
Relates to the confidentiality and expungement of records in juvenile delinquency cases in the family court; requires certain records to be expunged automatically.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires public schools in New York City (population over 1 million) to provide Halal food options during lunch. It amends the Education Law to mandate that all public schools in the city offer Halal meals, directly affecting school districts serving students in NYC. The law takes effect 120 days after enactment, with immediate rule-making authority allowed for implementation. This policy change ensures dietary accommodations for students requiring Halal food under school meal programs.
Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Raise the Wage Act," increases New York's minimum wage to $21.25 per hour in New York City by 2028, $17.25 in the city's suburbs (Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester) by 2026, and gradually across the rest of the state. It repeals current static wage provisions and establishes automatic annual adjustments tied to inflation and productivity, mirroring the formula used for upstate wages since 2022. The bill directly affects all hourly workers covered under New York's labor law, particularly in low-wage sectors like home care and childcare. This indexing mechanism aims to prevent future erosion of purchasing power, ensuring wages keep pace with rising living costs.
