Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton

Relates to increasing the amount of the childcare center tax abatement for certain properties in a city having a population of one million or more for abatements taken in a tax year commencing on or after July first, two thousand twenty-five; provides that no such childcare center tax abatement shall be authorized for any tax year commencing on or after July first, two thousand thirty-two; extends the deadline for application for such childcare center tax abatement to March fifteenth, two thousand twenty-seven.

Maddy summaryBill S 3655 establishes a new 25-year retirement plan for firefighters employed by the Division of Military and Naval Affairs. This plan allows eligible firefighters, including airport firefighters and training and safety officers, to retire after completing 25 years of creditable service. Upon retirement, these members would receive a retirement allowance equal to one-half of their final average salary. The bill specifies that creditable service includes time in their DMNA firefighter roles, service as a paid firefighter in other departments, and certain wartime service. Members have one year from the effective date to elect to join this new plan.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3236) allows registered pharmacy technicians to work in any licensed pharmacy under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist. It permits technicians to assist with tasks like preparing, labeling, and dispensing prescriptions or medications - provided these tasks require no professional judgment (which remains the pharmacist's responsibility). The law requires pharmacists to be physically present during these tasks, authorize all work, and approve it before any medication is dispensed. The pharmacy must also ensure technicians receive proper training before they begin assisting. The bill is now law (signed November 21, 2025).

Expands the membership of the interagency task force on trafficking in persons to include the commissioner of the department of transportation, the commissioner of the department of motor vehicles and the executive director of the New York state thruway authority.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most health insurance plans to cover contraceptive services provided by pharmacists without cost-sharing. It mandates coverage for all FDA-approved contraceptives (including over-the-counter options), emergency contraception, patient counseling, and follow-up care like device insertion/removal. Plans must allow dispensing up to 12 months of contraceptives at once and reimburse pharmacists the same rate as other healthcare providers. The law applies to group/blanket health insurance policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, directly affecting insured individuals and pharmacists providing these services.

Sets minimum staffing standards for employees performing emergency medical services in the 911 system in a city with a population of over one million people.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4554) modifies New York City's pension rules to streamline benefits for police officers and firefighters who participated in World Trade Center rescue efforts. It creates a presumption that members with qualifying health conditions (like respiratory illnesses linked to WTC exposure) developed their disability during service, provided they filed a timely notice of participation. The presumption means the pension board must reclassify their retirement as "accidental disability" without changing their retirement option, unless the employer proves otherwise. This directly affects NYC police pension fund members who worked at the WTC site and later developed health conditions recognized under the law.

Clarifies provisions regarding the use of crossbows for hunting, allowing the department of environmental conservation to allow the use of crossbows for the taking of big game in any area long bows are permitted.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a section of the public health law to correct a technical error in the bed count requirement for nonprofit adult residential health care facilities. It specifies that qualifying facilities must operate exactly 110 adult beds (previously misstated in the law), affecting organizations applying for or maintaining licenses under this provision. The change takes immediate effect and applies retroactively to December 21, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the calculation method for special accidental death benefits paid to families of state and local government retirees who died. It adjusts the percentage of the deceased member's salary used to determine benefits, based on the year of death (e.g., higher percentages for deaths before 2024, decreasing to 0% for deaths in 2025 and later). The change affects widows/widowers, minor children (or students under 23), or parents if no dependents exist. The revised formula, effective July 1, 2025, ensures benefits align with current salary scales rather than outdated historical percentages. The bill amends sections of the General Municipal Law and Retirement and Social Security Law.