Sen. Roxanne Persaud

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state health commissioner to create plain-language educational pamphlets about esophageal cancer symptoms, risk factors, testing options, and treatment alternatives. Healthcare providers must give these pamphlets to patients at risk (e.g., those with family history) or diagnosed with esophageal cancer. It also mandates that most health insurance plans cover esophageal cancer screening and treatment without patient cost-sharing, applying to hospital, surgical, and medical policies. The pamphlets must be updated as needed and distributed by January 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a faster process for parents who already agree on child support amounts to formalize their agreement through court-approved "expedited settlement conferences" in family court. It directly affects parents in child support cases who voluntarily consent to this process, excluding cases involving minor parents without lawyers, parentage disputes, protection orders, or spousal support. Key provisions require financial disclosure via affidavits, mandate court staff to calculate support using state guidelines, and ensure parties understand their rights before agreeing. The process is voluntary, with parties able to withdraw at any time, and includes interpreter services for non-English speakers. The bill does not change how child support is calculated but streamlines agreement confirmation for cases where parents have already reached terms.

Maddy summaryS 5016 requires all general confinement correctional facilities in New York to offer visitation seven days a week. This directly affects inmates and their family members or visitors who previously may have faced limited visitation days. The bill adds a new provision (Section 138-b) to the Correction Law mandating weekly visitation access without restriction. It takes effect one year after enactment.

Establishes a program of tiered eligibility for services offered by the office for people with developmental disabilities for persons with learning disabilities and other complex neurological impairments.

Relates to designating the county of Kings a cease and desist zone; establishes an affirmative defense to violations of nonsolicitation orders and cease and desist zones.

Authorizes the reissuance of emergency assistance to needy families with children, safety net assistance, SNAP benefits, or emergency assistance for aged, blind and disabled persons in instances of fraud or theft of benefits.

Establishes a mandated window of five business days for both Medicaid and private insurers to respond to pre-authorization claims for testing and/or treatments made by physicians on behalf of oncology patients.

Allows public campaign funds to be used for disability access services including but not limited to captioning, sign language interpretation, assistive listening device, Braille, large print, communication access real-time translation and accessible transportation services and to be used for language interpretation and translation services.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits home care aides to 12-hour shifts without their explicit consent. It prohibits employers from requiring overtime beyond this limit, and any agreement for longer shifts must be voluntarily provided in writing for each specific instance. The law protects aides from retaliation, including dismissal or penalties, for refusing excessive hours or reporting violations. Exceptions only apply during true emergencies after exhausting all staffing options, and even then, overtime cannot exceed four hours without consent.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires property owners (mortgagors) to notify current or prospective tenants about imminent foreclosure before renewing or signing a lease. Specifically, owners must send a copy of the foreclosure summons and complaint via certified mail at least two weeks prior to any lease action. Failure to provide this notice results in a $500 credit against the tenant's rent per violation. The law directly affects tenants facing potential displacement and property owners managing rental properties.