Sen. Kevin Parker

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4009) requires insurers and certain health corporations to cover the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions under the Healthy New York program. It amends insurance law to mandate this coverage in group/school blanket policies, individual policies, and health service contracts for inpatient care or physician services. The key provision directly affects insurers, medical expense indemnity corporations, and health service corporations offering these specific plans. It ensures policyholders receiving these insurance types have access to mental health care as part of their coverage, without adding new exemptions or cost-sharing requirements. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Requires the office for the prevention of domestic violence to conduct a study on domestic violence in the transgender community with a focus on Black transgender women.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a New York State committee to study the feasibility of creating two programs: a "kindergarten to college/career ready" (K2C/C) program and a universal college savings account, specifically targeting low- and moderate-income families. The committee will examine existing models in cities like San Francisco and states including Ohio, Nevada, and Washington, review enrollment data, engage financial institutions, and develop a proposal for funding and implementation based on 2023-2024 kindergarten enrollment. It does not fund or create these programs but requires the committee to report findings and recommendations by November 1, 2024. The study focuses on structuring, managing, and marketing these initiatives to promote financial literacy. The committee will disband after submitting its report.

Maddy summaryS 3992, the "racial and ethnic equity act," requires state agencies to prepare impact statements for bills that could affect correctional, public assistance, or child welfare systems. Before such bills can be considered by legislative committees, the Division of Criminal Justice Services, Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, or Office of Children and Family Services must analyze how the bill would impact racial and ethnic minority populations (Black, Latino, Native American, Asian/Pacific Islander). These statements must include data on projected effects - like rates per 10,000 people - on each minority group and cover at least three fiscal years. The bill directly affects New York legislators, state agencies, and minority communities by mandating this review for laws related to sentencing, welfare access, or child welfare placement.

Prohibits any local police department, county sheriff's office, the division of the state police or any agency that employs a peace officer in this state from participating in the 1033 federal excess property program for the purposes of receiving lethal or offensive weapons.

Creates an emergency in education tax surcharge to fund an omnibus education financing plan in New York city; provides for a maintenance of effort requirement.

Enhances the fitness and safety requirements for certain licensed individuals; establishes the "New York state task force on the effects of aging on driving ability".

Requires the establishment of carbon capture projects in order to achieve the greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals of the climate leadership and community protection act.

Requires the commissioner of education to establish and enforce rules and regulations to incorporate at least a three credit course devoted to the instructional techniques necessary for effective literacy instruction which shall include delivering structured, systematic, explicit, evidence-based instruction aligned with the science of reading for prospective teachers.

Requires the department of environmental conservation to conduct a study on sea level rise in cities with a population of one million or more and to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed rules and regulations, to the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the chairs of senate and assembly environmental conservation committees, the chair of the senate finance committee and the chair of the assembly ways and means committee no later than December 31, 2028.