Sen. Andrew Gounardes

Maddy summaryS 363, the "New York junk fee prevention act," requires businesses selling goods or services in New York to clearly disclose the total price - including all mandatory fees - before a purchase. It defines "mandatory fees" as unexpected charges consumers can't reasonably avoid (like default add-ons), excluding taxes, delivery costs based on consumer choice, or certain financial fees. Businesses must display total prices prominently in ads and at checkout, avoiding misleading fine print. Violations can trigger penalties up to $1,000 per intentional violation, with enforcement by the attorney general or affected consumers. The law exempts businesses already complying with federal broadband or cable disclosure rules, and certain financial service disclosures.

Requires that an assessment of the role that permit approvals for air contamination sources plays in contributing to stationary and mobile sources of air pollution be included in an addendum to the strategies for the development of community emission reduction programs; requires disclosure of last mile warehouse permits.

Requires the office of temporary and disability assistance, in conjunction with the office of mental health and the office of children and family services, to develop a mental illness training course to be utilized by providers of temporary housing assistance to focus on recognizing signs and symptoms of mental illness.

Requires mobile applications on cell phones, smart phones and tablets that offer a subscription service provide an option to cancel the subscription on its application and have the option posted in a clear and conspicuous format.

Relates to fair pricing for low-complexity, routine medical care to more closely align payment rates across ambulatory settings for selected services that are safe and appropriate to provide in all settings.

Requires the reporting of sentences of certain medical professionals to the office of professional medical conduct within twenty-four hours; requires the department of health to disseminate a criminal conviction and sentence of a physician within forty-eight hours of receipt.

Provides for automatic voter registration and pre-registration for persons applying for certain department of motor vehicles documentation, and for persons applying for or re-enrolling in Medicaid; allows individuals to decline such automatic registration and pre-registration.

Requires school districts to conduct mandatory early screening for dyslexia for all children commencing in pre-kindergarten or kindergarten and continuing thereafter on an annual basis until each child successfully completes second grade; requires school districts to designate an individual to maintain complete and accurate records containing early screening reports for each child, and to provide resources and materials to the parent and/or guardian of any child who displays indications of dyslexia.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 6638) increases the pension calculation percentage for certain New York state and local government employees from 35% to 40% of their final average salary. It directly affects members of the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System who joined on or after April 1, 2012, and have at least 20 years of service at retirement. The key change modifies existing pension formulas to provide a higher benefit amount for these employees, specifically raising the percentage used in calculating their retirement income. The policy change applies to those retiring at age 63 or older with 20+ years of service, without altering retirement age requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires chain and community pharmacies in New York to register with the state department. It defines a "chain pharmacy" as a publicly traded company with at least twenty licensed locations and a "community pharmacy" as a privately held company with fewer than twenty, while excluding government, hospital, and mail-order pharmacies from the community category. Owners must apply for a designation every three years and pay a $500 fee to maintain their status. The law will take effect ninety days after being signed into legislation.