Sen. Gustavo Rivera

Prohibits public employers from diminishing health insurance benefits provided to Medicare-eligible retirees and their Medicare-eligible dependents or the contributions such employer makes for such health insurance coverage below the level of such benefits or contributions made on behalf of such retirees and dependents by the public employer as of December 31, 2021.

Provides that in any jurisdiction in which a party is eligible under local law for free legal counsel, if such party has in good faith attempted to secure such counsel and is unable to obtain counsel through no fault of their own, the court shall adjourn the trial of the issue for consecutive periods of not less than fourteen days each until the party is able to secure counsel.

Maddy summaryBill S 7470 requires health insurers and plans to grant automatic preauthorization approvals to eligible health care professionals for specific services. A health care professional qualifies for this if an insurer has approved at least 90% of their preauthorization requests for that particular service during the most recent six-month evaluation period. Once a professional has automatic approval, the corresponding health care service is deemed medically necessary, and the insurer must promptly pay the full claim without denial, reduction, or retroactive recoupment. Insurers are required to conduct initial and annual evaluations to determine eligibility for these automatic approvals.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution J 741 formally congratulates Shayla Byrne, a student-athlete at South Glens Falls High School, for winning the 2025 New York State Public High School Athletic Association Girls Giant Slalom Championship. The resolution, adopted by the Senate, recognizes Byrne's achievement of breaking the one-minute barrier in both runs of the championship with a combined time of 1:57.06. It is transmitted to Byrne, her coach Erin Welch, and school administrators (including the principal and superintendent) as a formal tribute to her athletic accomplishment. This resolution has no policy impact and serves solely as a ceremonial acknowledgment of her sports achievement.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a bill with policy changes) memorializing Governor Hochul to officially recognize April 2025 as Sikh Awareness Month in New York. It asks the Governor to issue a proclamation highlighting Sikh contributions to New York's cultural and economic life, including historical context like Sikh immigration patterns and the significance of Vaisakhi and Guru Nanak's birthday in April 2025. The resolution directly affects all New Yorkers by promoting awareness of Sikh history and community contributions through state recognition. It has no binding policy impact but serves as a symbolic gesture to honor Sikh Americans.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (J 739) asks Governor Hochul to declare May 2025 as "STOP THE BLEED Month" in New York State, aligning with the national observance. It does not create new laws or programs but requests the Governor issue a formal proclamation to raise public awareness about the STOP THE BLEED campaign. The campaign teaches basic bleeding control techniques to help bystanders respond to traumatic injuries before emergency services arrive. This resolution directly affects the Governor's actions and aims to support existing community safety initiatives focused on preventing death from uncontrolled bleeding.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (J 594) congratulating Carman Bogle for her decade-long service as Mayor of Cambridge, New York, concluding April 7, 2025. It formally recognizes her public service achievements, including leading pandemic response, police reform, infrastructure projects, and community initiatives. The resolution has no policy impact or legal effect - it is purely an expression of appreciation with no binding provisions. It was adopted by the Senate on April 8, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (J 753) symbolically recognizes a planned event celebrating the Dominican community's cultural contributions in Albany on April 9, 2025. It acknowledges the event hosted by the state legislature's Dominican Delegation, which aims to empower the community, strengthen civic engagement, and honor the Dominican diaspora's role in New York. The resolution does not create new laws, allocate funds, or directly affect any individuals or policies - it simply directs the legislature to pause its work to honor this cultural celebration.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (J 738) requesting Governor Hochul to proclaim May 6, 2025, as "Queens Day" in New York State. It honors Queens' cultural diversity, history, and economic contributions as a symbolic gesture, not a policy change. The resolution was adopted by the Senate and will be sent to the Governor, Queens Borough President, and Queens Chamber of Commerce for consideration. It directly affects no individuals or entities through legal requirements, as it seeks only a ceremonial recognition of Queens' significance.

Requires fashion sellers to carry out environmental due diligence for the portions of their business related to wearing apparel, footwear or fashion bags, including wearing apparel, footwear or fashion bags produced as a private label; establishes a fashion remediation fund.