Sen. Robert Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health and casualty insurance policies that cover prescription drugs to also cover prenatal vitamins when prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider. The law applies to comprehensive medical plans, including those offered by medical expense indemnity corporations and hospital service corporations. While the coverage is mandatory, insurers may still apply standard annual deductibles and coinsurance fees that align with other benefits in the policy. The changes take effect on the first of January following the bill's enactment and apply to all policies issued, renewed, or modified on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal licensing system for genetic counselors in New York State and creates a new State Board for Genetic Counseling to oversee the profession. The legislation defines the scope of genetic counseling, which includes evaluating family medical histories, ordering genetic tests, and educating patients about hereditary conditions, while explicitly prohibiting counselors from diagnosing diseases, prescribing medication, or performing invasive procedures. To obtain a license, individuals must hold a master's degree or higher in genetic counseling, pass an examination, and meet specific experience and character requirements set by the state. The newly formed seven-member board will be composed of licensed genetic counselors, a physician, and a public representative to regulate professional conduct and manage licensure matters.

Requires certain watercraft, aircrafts, and trains to use clean energy, including ensuring such vehicles are zero-emissions; requires NYSERDA to study zero-emission commercial vehicles, the use of renewable energy in publicly funded airports, and the use of sustainable aviation fuel; requires NYSERDA to administer a grant program to flying schools and clubs that install charging infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New York State Fashion Workers Act to regulate model management companies and protect the rights of models working in the state. It requires these companies to register with the Department of Labor, providing detailed information about their business operations and ownership, and mandates that larger firms post a financial bond. The law also defines specific duties and prohibited actions for both model management companies and their clients, such as requiring clear written summaries of job terms known as deal memos. Additionally, the act creates a formal process for filing complaints and outlines penalties for violations, ensuring oversight of the fashion modeling industry.

Requires certain health insurance issuers to certify that at least a majority of prescription drug rebates are provided to patients at the point of sale.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits hospitals from restricting licensed medical practitioners who are acting in good faith and within their professional scope of practice. Specifically, it prevents hospitals from limiting a doctor's ability to share comprehensive medical information with patients or from blocking necessary treatments for pregnancy complications when those services are required to meet the standard of care or prevent serious health risks. The legislation also protects these practitioners from retaliation, such as firing or discipline, if they provide care or communicate in accordance with the new rules. Additionally, the state health department is tasked with creating online materials to help medical staff understand these new protections.

Establishes the climate corporate data accountability act requiring certain business entities within the state to annually disclose scope 1, scope 2 and scope 3 emissions; establishes the climate accountability and emissions disclosure fund.

Enacts the climate resilient New York act; establishes the office of resilience and a resilience task force to assess and identify climate related threats and develop a statewide resilience plan.

Relates to the purchase of zero-emission buses and the procurement of electric-powered buses, vehicles or other related equipment and infrastructure; requires public utilities to have infrastructure, capacity, facilities, and transmission and distribution systems needed to supply power for the charging of zero-emission buses; provides a tariff for charging of electric buses.

Affords certain police/fire members who are members of the fire department pension fund to continue in service past normal retirement age with an additional pension benefit for each year of additional service; provides an additional amount computed at the rate of one-fortieth of his or her final salary for each year of such additional service.