Sen. Cordell Cleare

Establishes a task force on the issues facing black people since the end of slavery in the United States and holistic solutions to ensure that black people have an equitable position in education, economic development and other fields and disciplines.

Provides that every policy which provides coverage for hospital, surgical or medical care or provides reimbursement for laboratory tests or diagnostic X-rays shall provide coverage for testing of familial dysautonomia, Canavan's disease and Tay-Sachs; provides that in order to maintain the confidentiality of persons tested, receipt of acknowledgement from the testing facility shall be deemed sufficient evidence of testing.

Maddy summaryBill S 358 aims to expand eligibility for personal and home care services funded by Medicaid. It removes specific functional assessment criteria, which currently require individuals to need assistance with a certain number of daily living activities to qualify. This includes removing particular requirements for those with dementia or Alzheimer's diagnoses. The bill directly affects individuals seeking to receive in-home care services through the Medicaid program by making it easier to meet eligibility standards.

Establishes a temporary state assistance fund to provide legal counsel for bankruptcy proceedings under chapter eleven of the federal bankruptcy code; provides for the administration thereof.

Requires the department of agriculture and markets to facilitate and expand an initiative to promote opportunities for farm ownership to farmers who are black, indigenous and people of color; requires the department to submit a triennial report to the governor and the legislature regarding such initiative.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance policies covering prescription drugs to also cover the cost of donated breast milk. It directly affects individuals, particularly mothers and infants in medical settings (like NICUs), who rely on donated breast milk but previously faced coverage gaps. The law amends specific sections of the insurance code to mandate this coverage inclusion in all relevant policies, effective immediately. The change applies to standard prescription drug coverage, not separate health plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Good Friday (the Friday before Easter) as a public holiday for state government offices and schools. It amends the General Construction Law to add Good Friday to the official list of public holidays and modifies the Education Law to require all public schools to close on Good Friday. The bill also mandates that school calendars replace "Spring Recess" with "Good Friday" and ensures school day calculations account for this holiday without reducing instructional time. The change applies to all public school districts in the state, effective January 1 following enactment.

Establishes an LGBTQ+ youth and young adult suicide prevention task force; provides for the number of members, manner of appointment and the topics to be reviewed.

Establishes the maximum contaminant level goals (MCLGs) for emerging contaminants; provides that the commissioner of health shall by regulation establish a maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG) for each emerging contaminant for which such commissioner has established; makes related provisions.

Requires the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to assess and update the security camera, land-mobile radio, and public address systems in use in correctional facilities.