Sen. Kevin Parker

Enacts the reproductive health care facilities and religious worship access act; provides that the crime of criminal interference with health care services or religious worship shall be established by the mens rea of knowingly injuring, intimidating or interfering with a person obtaining or providing or assisting in obtaining or providing reproductive health services or a place of religious worship; includes in the definition of such crime engaging in a course of conduct or repeatedly committing acts within twenty-five feet of the premises of a reproductive health care facility or a place of religious worship; defines such premises; provides for a civil cause of action for any person harmed by conduct constituting such a crime.

Retroactively adjusts the compensation of formerly incarcerated individuals who were unjustly convicted; exempts such adjusted income from state income taxes.

Provides that the failure to report a release of hazardous substances is a class A misdemeanor and any such subsequent violation shall be a class E felony.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes regional minimum hourly payment rates that Medicaid must reimburse home care providers for services delivered to Medicaid patients. It directly affects home care agencies and providers employing aides covered by minimum wage laws, requiring rates to cover all direct care costs - including base wages, overtime, benefits, taxes, and mandated programs like COVID-19 sick pay. The commissioner must set these rates regionally based on cost factors, adjust them annually for labor law changes, and publish them publicly. Oversight includes comptroller reviews of managed care contracts to ensure rates meet the minimum standards.

Requires businesses that allow automatic renewals, continuous service offers, and automatic subscription renewals to provide notice regarding cancelling such renewals, services, or subscriptions.

Creates the "Pennies for Parks" program providing funds for capital expenditures at state parks and historic sites; imposes fee of five cents on single use carryout bags; establishes the pennies for parks fund to hold funds received from the fee on single use carryout bags.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a detailed legal definition of "autism" to New York's Mental Hygiene Law, specifying diagnostic criteria for five types of autism spectrum disorders (including autistic disorder, Asperger's syndrome, and childhood disintegrative disorder). It directly affects individuals seeking mental health services or disability support by establishing standardized eligibility criteria under state law. The definition outlines specific requirements for diagnoses, such as social interaction challenges, communication impairments, and restricted behaviors, while excluding conditions like Rett's disorder. This change ensures consistent application of autism-related services across New York's mental health system.

Directs utilities to study the potential health risks and effects of smart meters including, but not limited to, the risks and effects of the installation of such smart meters, and recommended safe practices associated with the use of smart meters; requires utilities to report their findings to the public service commission; requires the public service commission to prepare a comprehensive report to the governor and legislature.

Requires that state contracts only be with internet service providers compliant with net neutrality; establishes a revolving fund for the establishment of municipal internet service providers; appropriates $250 million therefor.

Requires the triborough bridge authority to establish a cashless tolling amnesty program; requires the metropolitan transportation authority to post their fee waiver policy on their website.