Sen. Mario Mattera

Provides that the New York state health care quality and cost containment commission shall: evaluate each mandated benefit; investigate current practices of health plans with regard to the mandated benefit; investigate the potential premium impact of repealing and/or modifying the mandated benefits on all segments of the insurance market; hold at least two public hearings; submit a report to the legislature; makes related provisions.

Maddy summaryBill S 5579 increases the amount of money public retirement system retirees can earn while holding a position of public service. The bill raises the annual earnings limitation for these retirees from the current $35,000 (effective through 2025) to $65,000. This new earning limit will apply starting in the year 2026 and thereafter. The change directly affects retirees who wish to work in public service without impacting their retirement benefits.

Provides for an exclusion for treble damages in actions for forcible or unlawful entry or detainer where such treble damages are unavailable to a person who, not having entered a lease or license for such real property with the rightful owner, enters onto real property or otherwise settles on land or occupies real property without title, right, permission of the rightful owner, or payment of rent accepted by the rightful owner.

Maddy summaryBill S 4055 expands New York's aggravated harassment law to protect additional transit and tolling workers. It specifically adds train operators, ticket inspectors, conductors, station cleaners, fare collectors, maintenance staff, and their supervisors to the list of protected individuals under penal law. The bill makes it a crime to harass these workers while they perform their duties, including physical contact like spitting or blocking access to equipment. This directly affects employees of public and private transit/tolling agencies across New York State. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Requires the reinstatement of certain officers and employees of the city of New York who were dismissed from employment due to a COVID-19 vaccine requirement including retirees, vested members and members terminated without a one-year limit on return.

Amends the 2024 capital projects budget to allow competitive grants to include funding for safety and security projects at small businesses at risk of hate crimes or attacks.

Grants a preference to New York state businesses in the state contract award process where the New York state business' bid is within five percent of the winning bid.

Bars a person who is convicted of a hate crime from attending any SUNY or CUNY institution; provides for the expulsion of a student who is convicted of hate crimes; provides for reinstatement of such student if the conviction is subsequently overturned.

Ensures privacy protections for all emergency personnel present at a crime scene including ambulance services or advanced life support first response services, certified first responders, firefighters, emergency medical technicians or advanced emergency medical technicians, who are employed by or enrolled members of any such service.

Clarifies that the New York state health insurance program remains subject to certain provisions of the financial services law and coverage for usual and customary costs for out-of-network health care service.