Sen. Andrew Gounardes

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution asks Governor Kathy Hochul to officially recognize June 2024 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in New York State. The measure does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a formal acknowledgment of the community's history and achievements. It highlights key milestones such as the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots and recent legal victories for LGBTQIA+ rights. The bill is purely ceremonial and affects only the state's official calendar and public recognition of the month.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that formally recognizes former Senator Neil D. Breslin as the recipient of the President Pro Tempore and Senate Majority Leader's Legislative Legacy Award. The document highlights his extensive career in public service, including his 13 terms in the New York State Senate, his leadership roles in ethics and insurance committees, and his advocacy for vulnerable populations. It also lists specific laws he sponsored that improved access to healthcare and prescription drug coverage for New York residents. The resolution concludes by directing that a copy of the text be sent to Senator Breslin to honor his contributions to the state.

Requires more specific data reporting by the chief administrator to include information relating to all courts in the unified court system, including town and village courts.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the New York State Department of Health to create a comprehensive report analyzing how hospital closures affect healthcare access across the state. The report must include detailed data on hospital locations, bed availability, patient demographics, financial conditions, and travel times, while also consulting with public health experts and community leaders. Based on these findings, the department will identify "distressed healthcare zones" and update this designation every three years to guide future healthcare funding and service approvals. The final report is required to be published online by April 1, 2025, and must be written in clear language accessible to the general public.

Provides that no incarcerated individual in any state or local prison, penitentiary, jail or reformatory shall be compelled or induced to provide labor against their will.

Provides an option for beneficiaries of NYC transit authority members to receive a lump sum equal to the pension reserve where a member who is eligible for a service retirement dies prior to filing for retirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the list of people who can represent taxpayers during tax appeals proceedings. It allows individuals such as spouses, family members, and registered tax return preparers to appear on behalf of taxpayers in addition to attorneys and accountants. The change also permits the tax appeals tribunal to create rules allowing corporations to be represented by their own officers or employees. This update applies immediately to proceedings within the small claims unit and other tax appeal divisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires unlicensed self-help practitioners to inform clients about potential risks associated with their services and to create safety plans for high-risk activities. It defines self-help practitioners as individuals offering financial, spiritual, or educational guidance for personal improvement in exchange for payment, while explicitly exempting licensed professionals. Under the new rules, practitioners must provide contracts in large print that clearly list dangers such as physical injury, psychological harm, or death from activities like sweat lodge ceremonies, hypnosis, and strength exercises. Additionally, the bill mandates that these practitioners share their credentials, offer clear refund policies, and ensure licensed medical professionals are available when physical risks are expected. Violations of these disclosure and safety requirements could result in civil penalties of up to $250 for a first offense and $500 for subsequent offenses.

Establishes an indirect source review for heavy distribution warehouse operations; requires the department of environmental conservation to conduct a study regarding zero-emissions zones.

Subjects to taxation the possessory interest of a private individual or corporation which uses real property owned by the United States or the state, except for real property owned by public authorities, for business purposes; excludes private property where the use is for a concession available to the general public located on property, such as parks, available for the use of the general public.