Sen. Gustavo Rivera

Maddy summaryThis bill updates how New York state calculates payment rates for residential health care facilities (like nursing homes) that provide long-term care. It requires the state to adjust rates annually based on current operating costs, with mandatory updates by April 2026 and every five years after, using the most recent cost data. Certain specialized facilities (such as those for children, ventilator-dependent patients, or behavioral health) retain historical rates adjusted for inflation, while others transition to the new cost-based system over a minimum four-year period. The bill also mandates a workgroup of experts to advise on rate-setting methodology and includes provisions for quality improvement funding.

Relates to the establishment of emergency management release plans to be developed for use in correctional facilities in the event of a state disaster emergency declared pursuant to executive order; establishes an advisory board to provide recommendations for the development of such plans; establishes criteria to be used to determine eligibility for emergency release of incarcerated individuals.

Enacts "Cecilia's act for rights in the sex trades"; decriminalizes certain prostitution offenses; amends provisions relating to prosecution of such offenses and vacating judgments.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3100) requires most health insurance policies in New York to cover specific asthma treatments and education. It mandates coverage for asthma equipment like rescue inhalers, spacers, and nebulizers, plus school equipment for children under 19. The bill also requires coverage for certified asthma self-management education - teaching patients about proper device use, environmental triggers, and treatment - limited to medically necessary visits after diagnosis or symptom changes. Insurance plans may still apply standard deductibles/coinsurance for these benefits. The policy directly affects New Yorkers with asthma and their families, ensuring access to essential equipment and education through their insurance.

Maddy summaryS 1209, the "Marvin Mayfield Act," eliminates mandatory minimum sentences for felony convictions by amending sentencing laws. It requires courts to issue written sentencing decisions explaining individualized findings, rather than applying fixed minimum terms. The bill also expands pre-sentence reports to include analysis of incarceration costs and increases access to these reports for defendants and their attorneys before sentencing. This directly affects individuals convicted of felonies in New York State, shifting sentencing focus toward rehabilitation and community safety over rigid minimum terms.

Establishes through the department of health a drug checking services program to allow individuals to bring drugs or controlled substances and have them tested for contaminants, toxic substances, or hazardous compounds; requires the department to establish public health surveillance of the unregulated drug supply; provides exemptions for participants in the drug checking program from certain controlled substance offenses.

Establishes the clinical trial access and education fund to provide grants to eligible applicants to provide certain services for patients with life-threatening or disabling conditions or diseases.

Provides for automatic voter registration and pre-registration for persons applying for certain department of motor vehicles documentation, and for persons applying for or re-enrolling in Medicaid; allows individuals to decline such automatic registration and pre-registration.

Makes various provisions regarding establishment of a hospital: provides that any person and various other listed entities (i.e., partnership, company, stockholder, member, corporation or other entity) with authority to operate a hospital, shall be subject to approval for establishment by the public health council (unless otherwise authorized to operate a hospital without such establishment approval); provides that any assignment or delegation of any authority to operate a hospital shall be subject to approval for establishment by the council (with certain specified exceptions); specifies circumstances under which a person, partnership, company, etc. shall be deemed to have authority to operate a hospital subject to approval for establishment by the council (with certain specified exceptions); specifies circumstances under which a person, partnership, company, etc. shall be deemed to have authority to operate a hospital (i.e., if it has decision-making authority over listed matters).

Requires a board of elections in a county with over ten thousand active registered voters to employ a minimum of four full-time employees which may include the commissioner and deputies if such positions are full time.