Sen. Robert Jackson

Maddy summaryS 118 creates a searchable public database of existing dementia and Alzheimer's disease support programs for elderly individuals (60+). The office of aging, working with the health department, will develop criteria to identify successful programs and maintain the database on its website. The database will include program names, descriptions, contact details, and service areas to help elderly individuals, families, and caregivers find local resources. It requires annual updates to ensure the information remains current and accessible. This bill directly affects elderly persons with dementia/Alzheimer's and the service providers offering support in community settings.

Prevents discrimination by insurers based on an individual's mental health or substance use disorder; incorporates into law federal enforcement rules set forth in the federal mental health parity and addiction equity act of 2008.

Establishes an optional twenty-five year retirement plan for certain public safety dispatchers, public safety telecommunicators, 911 operators, communications officers, police communication technicians, emergency services operators and emergency services dispatchers employed by the state, or a county or municipal emergency services department.

Relates to age and service eligibility requirements for ordinary retirement for members of the unified court system; restores 55/30 for all members; reduces the retirement age from 63 to 62.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for filing disability claims related to World Trade Center conditions until September 11, 2030. It directly affects individuals who participated in rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations between September 2001 and September 2025, as well as their eligible beneficiaries. The key provision requires these individuals to submit a sworn statement detailing their participation dates and locations by the new 2030 deadline, while also allowing for the reconsideration of previously disallowed claims within that timeframe.

Provides for a line of duty disability presumption for any condition of impairment of health caused by diseases of the lung, resulting in total or partial disability or death of certain deputy sheriff members of a retirement system in certain cities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a legal presumption that heart-related health conditions causing disability or death in deputy sheriffs of cities with at least one million residents were incurred while on duty. It applies specifically to paid deputy sheriffs hired through competitive civil service who passed a physical exam that did not show signs of the condition. Under this provision, such conditions are treated as work-related for retirement purposes, except when dealing with workers' compensation or labor law claims. If a deputy sheriff retires due to these presumptive disabilities, they will receive a pension equal to three-fourths of their final average salary. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Provides for eligibility of certain participants in the New York City employees retirement system to opt into the twenty-five year retirement program for EMT members.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires gas and electric utilities to accept payments from public assistance programs (like the Home Energy Assistance Program and emergency funding) as full payment for residential customers. Utilities must treat these payments as if paid directly by the customer, including restoring disconnected service or stopping collections. It directly affects low-income households using these assistance programs by preventing utility disconnections due to unpaid bills when aid is available. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Provides that beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year, certain graduate students shall be required to pay 25% of all current and future mandatory university fees; provides that in the 2027-2028 academic year and thereafter, no mandatory university fees shall be charged to certain graduate students and adjunct staff, with the exclusion of the graduate student association student activity fee.