Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 82) requires all New York City public schools to have at least one certified assistant principal. It directly affects NYC schools and their administrative staffing. Key provisions include mandating that assistant principals handle school safety when the principal is absent and may be required to attend training to address educational needs. The bill sets minimum staffing standards to ensure school safety and proper management, without changing funding or creating new programs.

Prohibits insurance carriers and employers from withholding certain benefits from injured workers based on a claim that such workers have voluntarily withdrawn from the labor market by not seeking alternate employment that their injury or illness does not preclude them from performing.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal framework for anti-stalking orders to protect victims from repeated, severe harassment. It directly affects stalking victims (petitioners) and alleged stalkers (respondents) by establishing specific court procedures for obtaining protective orders. Key provisions require courts to issue orders prohibiting contact (including digital communication), surveillance, remote control of connected devices (like smart home systems), and proximity to victims' homes or workplaces. The law defines "stalking" broadly to include numerous offenses under existing penal codes, such as harassment, assault, and unauthorized sharing of intimate images. These orders can be issued quickly without notice for immediate threats, with final orders requiring a court hearing.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands disability retirement eligibility for New York City Transit Authority employees who participated in World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations after September 11, 2001. It provides these employees with a disability retirement allowance equal to 75% of their final average salary if they become incapacitated due to injuries sustained during those operations. The bill also ensures applicants can use the standard medical review process for disability claims under existing retirement law. It directly affects NYC Transit Authority workers with 9/11 response-related injuries, creating a specific pathway for disability benefits.

Relates to the determination of salary base for members of the New York city police pension fund; provides that the salary base for members of the New York city police pension fund whose employment with the police department of the city of New York commenced on or after July 1, 2000 shall be determined in the same manner as members whose employment commenced prior to such date.

Prohibits the sale of playground surfacing materials that contain PFAS, PAHs or lead; prevents sellers of playground surfacing materials that contain PFAS, PAHs or lead from being held in violation when relying in good faith on a certificate of compliance provided by the manufacturer; provides penalties for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases short-term disability and family leave benefits for eligible New York workers. It phases in higher weekly benefit rates (from 50% to 67% of average weekly wage) and extends maximum benefit periods (from 8-10 weeks to 12 weeks) over time, starting in 2018. These changes apply to employees taking leave for disability or qualifying family care needs under New York's workers' compensation law. The bill requires employers to maintain health benefits during leave and prohibits retaliation for taking leave. The superintendent of financial services may delay benefit increases if needed to maintain program stability.

Establishes a program for specific individuals to become complex care assistants and provide private duty nursing services to certain Medicaid enrollees.

Repeals provisions relating to resolutions of disputes in the course of collective negotiations with certain deputy sheriffs to provide such deputy sheriffs with the same interest arbitration scope as municipal police officers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in New York to cover postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy as part of mandatory maternity care. It directly affects new mothers by ensuring their health insurance must include this specific therapy to aid recovery after childbirth. The bill amends existing insurance law to add "postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy" to the list of required benefits, alongside services like breastfeeding support and newborn assessments. The policy change applies to all insurance contracts issued or renewed on or after its effective date.