Sen. Kevin Parker

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals to test all newborns for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection or exposure to the virus. It directly affects newborns and their birth parents by establishing a state program to identify HCV early. Key provisions include mandatory testing, counseling, tracking results, and follow-up care coordination through new regulations. The law aims to improve health outcomes by connecting affected infants and parents to timely treatment and support services.

Enacts the state and local government food waste prevention and diversion act; requires facilities generating excess food waste to take measures to minimize such waste.

Relates to voting rights expansion, voter registration on election day, expansion of the use of and requirements for absentee voting, creation of a real-time state wide voter registration database, special ballots for election employees, and voter affidavits.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) to conduct a study on the treatment and conditions of aging prison populations. The study will profile current elderly incarcerated individuals, project future populations, and examine factors contributing to their growth. It will also assess the adequacy of specialized housing, medical care, and programs provided to meet their unique needs, such as accessibility and accommodations for diminished capacity. DOCCS must report its findings, conclusions, and legislative recommendations to the governor and legislature within one year.

Relates to funds of the state; prohibits certain public authorities, commissions or public benefit corporations from depositing moneys in certain banking institutions.

Protects the rights of people in prisons, jails and forensic facilities; limits the use of cell or segregated confinement; grants access to tablets, visitation, and certain items.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state stockpile to maintain reserves of essential medical supplies, including drugs, vaccines, biological products, medical devices, and non-pharmaceutical items. The state health commissioner must annually review and update the stockpile's contents based on emerging threats and governor-determined needs, while consulting with a disease workgroup and ensuring secure inventory management. The commissioner is responsible for procuring these supplies through contracts, negotiating quantities and prices, and coordinating with healthcare agencies for effective supply-chain management. This policy directly affects state health officials and healthcare systems by creating a structured system for emergency medical resource availability.

Enacts the bucks for boilers act, which creates a program to aid in transition of housing units to electric heat pumps and other high energy efficiency upgrades.

Authorizes the empire state development corporation to retain one or more independent MWBE consultant firms to conduct an independent review of procurement procedures utilized by state agencies.

Relates to requiring the department of transportation to prepare a plan for every public transportation system to be eligible to receive operating assistance in the purchase of new zero-emission buses or vehicles.