Sen. Robert Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4160) requires state correctional facilities to provide free voice communication services (like phone calls) to incarcerated individuals, with no cost to the person initiating or receiving the call. It prohibits state agencies from charging fees or generating revenue from these communication services and mandates that in-person visit programs remain available - digital services cannot replace them. The law repeals an existing correction law section and takes effect April 1, 2026, applying to new or renewed communication contracts after that date. It directly affects incarcerated people in state prisons and youth detention centers by guaranteeing free access to basic voice communication.

Imposes fines for failure to exercise due care and move over when approaching parked, stopped or standing motor vehicles on the shoulder of a highway.

Requires school districts and charter schools to establish a task force to make recommendations on model curriculum or instruction on the political, economic, and social contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual people, in an appropriate place in the curriculum of middle school and high school students.

Requires that certain companies pay an annual tax if the chief executive receives compensation 100 to 250 times greater than the median pay of all their employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new pathway for foreign-trained dentists to become licensed in New York. It allows dentists licensed outside the U.S. (who don't qualify for standard endorsement) to work under a limited permit in underserved community health centers after meeting requirements: five years of dental practice experience, passing a competency exam, and completing a supervised preceptorship program. After five years of practice under this permit in qualifying facilities, they may apply for full state licensure. The bill directly affects international dental graduates seeking to practice in New York, particularly in areas with dental health shortages.

Grants a retroactive parity payment to certain management and confidential retirees who retired between April 1, 2009 and March 31, 2015, not to exceed $5,000.

Requires continuing teacher and leader education to include courses, programs and activities related to immigrant focused trauma-informed practices to support students who are dealing with adverse childhood or adolescent experiences as a result of immigration status.

Grants immunity from liability and professional retaliation against a law enforcement employee who intervenes against police misconduct committed by another member of law enforcement.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits degree-granting colleges and universities in the state from considering an applicant's family connection to a graduate when making admission decisions. It directly affects all public and private higher education institutions that admit students. The key provision bans using "legacy preference" (favoring applicants with family members who graduated) as a factor in admission standards, though institutions may still ask about family graduation history after an admission offer is accepted for data collection purposes. The law takes effect on July 1st following its enactment.