Sen. Nathalia Fernández

Maddy summaryS 2444 amends New York's civil rights law to make breastfeeding protections gender-neutral. It replaces terms like "mother" and "her" with "person" and "their," ensuring the law applies to all individuals who breastfeed, regardless of gender identity. The bill guarantees that anyone breastfeeding their baby can do so in any public or private location where they are otherwise authorized to be, without requiring nipple coverage. This change directly affects all breastfeeding people and eliminates gender-specific language in existing law. The bill passed the Senate on May 28, 2025, and is now under consideration by the Assembly.

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.

Exempts any covered substance use disorder and mental health treatment services and all FDA approved medications for the treatment of substance use disorder, HIV, hepatitis C and mental health conditions, from all recipient restriction program coverage and payment restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill enhances enforcement for drivers with repeated license plate violations and unpaid tolls. It stipulates that multiple unpaid liabilities for obscuring license plates will be recorded on an operator's driving record and used for insurance purposes. The bill also allows for a vehicle identification number (VIN) block on vehicles with repeated license plate obscuring convictions or unpaid tolls, preventing registration or renewal until all outstanding charges are settled. Furthermore, it permits denying registration for other vehicles owned by the same individual if there's an intent to bypass these rules.

Relates to the health, safety and human rights of incarcerated pregnant individuals, incarcerated birthing parents and their children; requires the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to establish rules and regulations relating to conditions in institutions and correctional facilities and the treatment and care of birthing parents in such institutions and facilities.

Requires food service establishments to permit the use of reusable beverage and food containers provided by customers when requesting a beverage refill or requesting leftovers from a partially consumed meal to be packaged and post signs to inform customers that they are permitted to do so.

Establishes an indirect source review for heavy distribution warehouse operations; requires the department of environmental conservation to conduct a study regarding zero-emissions zones.

Authorizes, under certain circumstances, full-time college and university students to act as election inspectors and poll clerks in the election district where their college or university is located.

Establishes a blue envelope program for persons with mental health disorders, behavioral disorders and persons who are neurodivergent to be provided with blue envelopes to keep their identification, vehicle registration, and other related documents to improve their safety during law enforcement interactions; requires the municipal police training council to promulgate rules and regulations requiring training and instruction for all police officers with respect to the blue envelope program.

Maddy summaryS 2436 bans the sale, lease, or rental of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and off-highway motorcycles within New York City. It directly affects sellers - including businesses, dealers, and individuals - who operate within the city limits. The bill imposes civil penalties of $1,000 for first violations and $2,000 for subsequent violations within a year, with each transaction counted as a separate offense. Enforcement is authorized for city departments and police, and vehicles used in violation may be impounded until fines are paid. The law does not restrict existing owners or vehicles used outside NYC.