Sen. Mario Mattera

Establishes the "New York's Own combat veterans healthcare choice program act" to establish tax free savings accounts to pay the healthcare costs of combat veterans on active duty during Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom, until covered by the federal government; directs the division of military and naval affairs to establish a registry of Afghanistan and Iraq veterans.

Exempts certain military service credit from being included in calculations of up to three years of military service credit for a public retirement system of the state.

Requires proportionally equivalent appointees of both the majority and minority houses of the legislature in all legislatively enacted workgroups, task forces, commissions, councils, advisory boards, committees and any other legislatively enacted and appointed groups or workgroups; requires that the number of appointees by the legislature shall be proportionally equivalent to the number of appointees by the governor.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4123) ensures healthcare providers can continue using independent dispute resolution (IDR) to challenge payment rates from insurers. It directly affects doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers who are not contracted ("non-participating") with health insurance plans. The bill amends criteria that IDR entities must use when setting fair payment rates, requiring them to consider factors like provider qualifications, usual charges for similar services, regional rates for non-participating providers, and service complexity. These changes clarify how disputes over payment rates will be resolved, maintaining access to the IDR process.

Requires pharmacies to provide prescription drug readers or other means of access to individuals who disclose they have difficulty seeing or reading standard print labels on prescription drug containers; defines "prescription drug reader" to mean a device which is capable of audibly conveying information contained on the label of a prescription drug; makes exceptions.

Prohibits sex offenders from operating automobiles participating in mobile application based transportation networks or being employed by such transportation networks.

Allows individuals to request a notation on their driver's license indicating that they have autism spectrum disorder, or any other medical, mental, or behavioral condition that may alter or impair their behavior; requires medical documentation to be submitted as proof upon such a request; directs the commissioner of motor vehicles to consult with the commissioner of health and the commissioner of mental health to determine a list of such conditions and disorders that may be indicated on an individual's driver's license.

Relates to real property subject to an authorization for a real property tax exemption in the town of Smithtown, county of Suffolk, with respect to the 2019 and 2020 assessment rolls.

Requires nursing homes and assisted living facilities to provide and maintain automated external defibrillators in quantities and types deemed by the commissioner to be adequate to ensure ready and appropriate access for use during emergencies.

Grants the commissioner of education the power to identify schools for additional support and assistance and establish performance targets for such schools.