Sen. Cordell Cleare

Establishes the hospice workforce stabilization and innovation program; grants for staff retention incentives, continuing education, professional certification including board certification in hospice and palliative care, workforce wellness initiatives, and other workforce support activities approved by the department; creates grants for establishing regional hospice workforce pipeline programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that formally honors Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis posthumously after he received the Congressional Medal of Honor and was inducted into the Hall of Heroes. The resolution acknowledges Ollis's sacrifice during a 2013 Taliban attack in Afghanistan, where he shielded an allied officer and saved over 40 personnel. It recognizes the Medal of Honor ceremony held at the White House and Ollis's induction at the Pentagon, noting that his name is now inscribed on the Medal of Honor Garden Wall. The resolution concludes by directing a copy of the document to Ollis's family.

Maddy summaryS 5746 establishes a district-level coordination program for long-term care ombudsperson volunteers in each assembly district. It creates "district long-term care ombudsperson council programs" to organize volunteers, requiring each council to include appointed coordinators (with minimal stipends) and trained resident advocates. The bill mandates standardized training for council members on topics like cultural competency, facility regulations, and conflict resolution, and requires facilities to include council contact information in new resident welcome packets. This program directly affects volunteers, local ombudsman programs, and long-term care facilities by improving coordination and standardizing volunteer roles within the existing state ombudsman framework.

Relates to protecting the communication rights of individuals with disabilities; provides that each person with a disability has the right to autonomously communicate in their preferred manner and utilize any validated communication supports that meet their needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a grant program to fund community gardens at all State University of New York and City University of New York campuses. Universities can apply directly for funding to grow fresh produce and provide healthy food options on campus. The grants are distributed based on financial need, with campuses required to submit biannual reports on how the funds are used. Eligibility depends on accreditation, sustainable operational plans, and projected community impact. The regents are authorized to allow campuses to apply through the Office of Community Gardens.

Directs the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to promulgate rules and regulations to establish and maintain a system for the preservation of data on tier one violations in correctional facilities.

Relates to motor vehicle insurance fairness; provides that insurance rates shall not be increased based on certain factors; sets forth processes for motor vehicle insurers to have rate increases approved; allows public access in relation to any proposed insurance rate increases; allows members of the public to request permission to intervene in proceedings related to rate increases; directs rules and regulations to be established.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows farmers' markets to be held on all State University of New York and City University of New York campuses. It requires the university regents to approve these markets to provide fresh food products to students and ensures community residents can also participate and purchase items. The bill defines farmers' markets and farm products using existing state law definitions and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires insurance companies, health service corporations, and medical expense indemnity corporations to cover medically necessary diagnostic testing and FDA-approved treatments for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The coverage applies to all medical, major medical, or comprehensive-type insurance policies issued, renewed, or modified on or after the bill's effective date. Insurers must allow licensed physicians to determine the necessity of these treatments and cannot use step therapy to delay or deny coverage for FDA-approved medications prescribed to slow disease progression. The law directly affects individuals with Alzheimer's or related conditions who have health insurance in the state, ensuring their access to approved treatments without additional hurdles.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new tax-advantaged savings program called SAVE for small businesses with 25 or fewer employees and annual net income under $250,000. It allows these businesses to contribute up to 10% of their previous year's gross profits to the accounts and deduct those contributions from their taxes, while tax-free withdrawals are permitted during specified economic hardship periods if the funds are used for worker hiring or job retention. The program requires the state tax commissioner to establish account standards, set distribution limits during hardship periods, and report annually on the accounts' effectiveness in stabilizing businesses and creating jobs.