Sen. Robert Jackson

Relates to treatment of gains from qualified opportunity zones in calculating taxable income; removes exclusion of gains on property in qualified opportunity zones in calculation of income.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Sickle Cell Treatment Act" to improve care for sickle cell disease patients in New York. It designates five "centers for excellence" (with two north of Putnam/Orange counties) and ten outpatient treatment centers based on patient populations, providing each center with annual funding ($500,000 for excellence centers, $250,000 for outpatient centers) to support specialized care, research, and equipment. The bill also modifies opioid prescribing rules to exempt sickle cell disease patients from a three-month opioid limit, ensuring they can receive necessary pain management without restrictive barriers. These changes directly affect hospitals designated as centers, sickle cell patients requiring specialized care, and healthcare providers managing chronic pain.

Relates to participation in World Trade Center rescue, recovery and cleanup operations by members of the organized militia; provides that members of the organized militia shall qualify as employees for the purposes of making a claim under the workers' compensation law for participation in the World Trade Center rescue, recovery and cleanup operations.

Enacts the "student voter empowerment act"; requires each institution of higher education to designate a staff member to act as a student voting coordinator; requires such coordinator to develop and implement a student voting action plan to increase student voter registration and voting and democratic participation among students.

Relates to owner liability for failure of an operator to comply with street cleaning parking rules; relates to access to records prepared pursuant to street cleaning parking rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4955) sets new standards for how New York's Medicaid Inspector General audits and reviews payments to healthcare providers. It requires the Inspector General to follow specific protocols when checking claims, cost reports, or payments, including providing providers access to applicable standards before audits begin. Key provisions include mandating detailed explanations in audit reports, considering factors like whether errors were minor clerical mistakes (e.g., transposed codes), and limiting recoupment for isolated errors. The bill directly affects Medicaid providers who receive state medical assistance payments, ensuring audits are transparent, fair, and based on clear, documented procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 6551) requires health insurance plans in New York to cover image-guided breast biopsies when recommended by a physician based on nationally recognized clinical guidelines. It directly affects patients seeking breast cancer screening and diagnosis, as well as insurance companies that must now include this specific procedure in mandatory coverage. The bill amends insurance law to explicitly add "image-guided breast biopsies" to the list of covered services alongside mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRI scans. Coverage applies only when the procedure aligns with evidence-based guidelines developed by independent medical organizations. The change takes effect January 1, 2026, for all new or renewed insurance policies.

Designates the "Honor and Remember Flag" as the official state flag for recognizing armed service members who have died as a result of serving the United States in any war or conflict the nation has been involved in since its inception.

Maddy summaryNew York's S 1157 establishes a state-run savings program to help first-time homebuyers save for purchasing their first primary residence in New York. The program creates tax-advantaged savings accounts managed by the state comptroller, allowing eligible residents to contribute funds that qualify for state income tax benefits under Section 612 of the tax law. To qualify, applicants must have no prior ownership of any home (including mobile homes claimed as personal property on tax returns) and must use funds exclusively for buying or building a home in New York to be used as their primary residence for at least two years. The bill outlines specific account rules, defines "first-time homebuyer," and specifies allowable expenses like purchase costs for houses, condos, or cooperative units within the state.

Provides that a dental hygienist shall not administer local block anesthesia without a certificate and except under the personal supervision of a dentist and in conjunction with the performance of dental hygiene procedures authorized by law and in accordance with regulations promulgated by the commissioner.