Sen. Robert Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal framework for the medical use of psilocybin (a psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms) in New York State. It creates a "psilocybin assisted therapy grant program" to fund treatment for veterans, first responders, retired first responders, and low-income individuals through certified facilitators (mental health professionals who complete state-approved training). The law defines medical psilocybin, sets requirements for treatment settings and facilitator certification, and includes legal protections against penalties for those using it under the program. It also mandates a two-year department report on the program's implementation and establishes a pilot program for naturally grown psilocybin. The bill makes a specific appropriation to fund the grant program.

Establishes instruction in financial literacy for students in sixth through eighth grade; requires such instruction to include content on budgeting, savings, credit, debt, insurance, investment, and other issues associated with personal financial responsibility as determined by the education department.

Prohibits a cause of action for defamation where the subject of such action includes an allegation made to an employer regarding an unlawful discriminatory practice or act of retaliation.

Relates to the completion of and information contained in heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems assessments as part of building condition surveys for purposes of grant eligibility; requires such assessments to include a report containing specific information and includes qualification requirements for the person completing the report.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes strict caseload limits for adult protective services (APS) workers in New York State. It requires that no APS worker handles more than 20 initial investigations or 30 ongoing cases at any time, with a total cap of 30 cases per worker. Local social services districts must follow these standards, and the state must annually report on caseload averages and worker staffing levels. The law directly affects APS workers and local districts responsible for investigating elder and adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation. It becomes effective two years after enactment, with immediate reporting requirements for the state.

Requires the city university of New York and state university of New York have education programs for prospective teachers, administrators, and counselors for teaching immigrant-origin students that promotes diversity, equity and inclusion, and is multilingual.

Enacts the "fair share act"; authorizes cities imposing city personal income taxes to adopt and amend local laws imposing an additional tax of two percent on the annual city taxable income of city residents, estates and trusts reporting any return in excess of one million dollars.

Maddy summaryBill S 8154 allows Dutchess County to offer an optional twenty-year retirement plan to eligible members of its Sheriff's Department. If Dutchess County chooses to adopt this plan by resolution, it will be responsible for paying the associated costs. Under this plan, members could retire after 20 years of service or at age 62, receiving a pension based on their final average salary and years of creditable service. The bill specifies how these pension benefits are calculated and defines what service counts towards eligibility.

Allows parents and legal guardians to work from home; allows flexible working arrangements during a public health emergency or state or local disaster emergency which closes schools or day care centers; defines terms; creates a rebuttable presumption that an employee can work remotely if such employee has done so for two consecutive pay periods or two weeks; creates a civil penalty for violations.

Provides for a hazardous pay differential for certain emergency medical technicians who are providing emergency medical services, and their supervisors, during outbreaks of infectious diseases.