Sen. Kevin Parker

Maddy summaryS 5948 creates a new peer advocacy and mentoring program within New York's Office of Children and Family Services. The program provides peer support, advocacy, and mentoring specifically for youth in residential care facilities, with priority for those placed under Family Court Act §353.3. It requires contracting with nonprofit organizations to hire peer advocates who are former youth in residential care (ages 16-30), trained in emotional/behavioral support, and who maintain confidentiality. The program connects youth to resources like attorneys for the child while ensuring advocates cannot disclose youth identities without consent. This bill establishes concrete policy changes to improve support for vulnerable youth in state care.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the state Department of Health (with other agencies) to study medications prescribed to school-age children with ADD/ADHD. It specifically examines side effects of drugs like psychostimulants and antidepressants, the accuracy of diagnosis methods, medication appropriateness, and potential disparities in diagnoses across different groups. The study must be completed within two years, with findings reported to the governor and legislature. It does not change current medication practices but mandates a review of existing treatment approaches for this population.

Establishes energy efficiency measures by the public service commission and NYSERDA including requiring utilities to hire and train employees who are from priority populations or living in areas designated as environmental justice communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends reporting requirements for New York's Division of Minority and Women's Business Development. It mandates that the division issue an annual report summarizing each state agency's progress on contracting with minority and women-owned businesses, including participation rates, spending data, waiver requests, and violation determinations. The report must include specific metrics like agency-specific participation rates, total certified business numbers, contract values by category (e.g., construction, services), and demographic breakdowns. The report will be shared with state officials and made publicly available online. This procedural change updates existing law to standardize and expand transparency around state contracting efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program requiring producers of primary batteries (non-rechargeable batteries under 2kg, like AA, AAA, lithium, and button batteries) to cover the cost of recycling them. It directly affects battery manufacturers, importers, and brands selling in New York, mandating they register, submit recycling plans by 2026, and provide free consumer collection. Key provisions include setting minimum collection facility requirements (e.g., at least two per small county, three per medium county), banning retailers from refusing batteries by brand, and requiring annual reporting. Small producers with under $500 in annual sales are exempt. The program aims to manage battery waste through producer-funded recycling, not new consumer fees.

Requires a principal, superintendent or a principal's or superintendent's designee to notify law enforcement if they believe a hate crime is occurring.

Requires the disclosure of bedbug infestation history for the previous year to prospective lessees; does not apply to cities with a population of one million or more; includes co-op sales and co-op and condo rentals in addition to other types of rentals.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires charter school applicants to include the exact location of their proposed school in their initial application to the charter entity. It directly affects anyone seeking to establish a new charter school in New York. If the location isn't known when applying, applicants must notify the charter entity within ten business days of securing facilities, but must still obtain a certificate of occupancy before classes begin. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment and applies to all new applications submitted on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill would impose a new tax on New York State residents with $1 billion or more in net assets (total wealth minus debts), calculated as if they sold all assets at market value on December 31, 2024. Taxpayers would pay the resulting tax over 10 years with an annual interest-like fee, or in full for the 2025 tax year. It includes credits for taxes paid to other states on assets accumulated before New York residency, and excludes certain assets like gifts made within five years. The tax applies only to New York residents meeting the $1 billion threshold, with the first payment due for the 2025 tax year. The bill is currently pending in the Budget and Revenue committee.

Requires contractors receiving public funds to pay amounts owed to small businesses and minority-owned business enterprises within 10 days of receipt of an undisputed invoice generated by a small business, minority-owned business enterprise or vendor management service and managed service provider on behalf of the small business or minority-owned business enterprise.