Sen. Nathalia Fernández

Directs the commissioner of health to approve courses for eligible physicians, nurses and other staff that covers risk management strategies in emergency department visits for individuals with a developmental or intellectual disability; provides a premium reduction for physicians who complete such risk management strategies course.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the definition of a small business for minority and women-owned enterprises in state contracts, raising the maximum employee limit from 300 to 500. The law allows the state director to set specific employee numbers based on industry standards while ensuring businesses remain independently owned and not dominant in their field. This adjustment directly affects how many employees a company can have before it is no longer considered a small business eligible for these specific state procurement programs. The change takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows a close friend of a deceased person to make an anatomical gift, such as donating organs or tissues, if no other authorized family members object. It updates the legal hierarchy for who can authorize a donation by adding "close friend" as a specific category alongside guardians and other relatives. The law also clarifies that if multiple people in the same category are available to make a decision, the gift can only proceed if a majority of them agree. These changes take effect on January 1st of the year following the bill's passage and are intended to provide more flexibility for individuals who wish to donate but do not have immediate family present.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates how the state calculates payment rates for federally qualified health centers to better match their actual operating costs. It requires the health department to analyze five years of cost data, including expenses for staffing, physical facilities, and technology, and to remove existing caps on these payments starting in April 2025. The law establishes a new method for adjusting these rates annually based on federal market basket figures and changes in the scope of services provided. This change directly affects federally qualified health centers by ensuring their reimbursement reflects the true cost of delivering care.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school districts in Westchester, Putnam, Nassau, and Suffolk counties to follow the disciplinary procedures agreed upon in collective bargaining contracts when punishing bus drivers and their assistants. Under the new rules, districts must generally respect existing union agreements before taking adverse action against these employees, unless a superintendent certifies that the behavior involved egregious misconduct posing a clear and present danger to student safety. In cases where such a certification is made, the bill mandates an expedited fact-finding process that must be completed within five business days. Additionally, if a driver or assistant is later found innocent or if the superintendent's decision was improper, they are entitled to punitive damages for any lost wages incurred during the process.

Extends provisions of law relating to allowing pharmacists to direct limited service laboratories and order and administer COVID-19 and influenza tests and modernizing nurse practitioners and authorizing pharmacists to perform collaborative drug therapy management with physicians in certain settings.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for when businesses must choose to pay taxes in installments instead of waiting for their annual tax return. It directly affects electing partnerships, S corporations, and their city equivalents by changing the deadline for making this election. For tax years starting on or after January 1, 2024, the election must be made by September 15 of that year, whereas previous years allowed the election by the due date of the first payment. The legislation also clarifies how much needs to be paid upfront if the election is made late in the year, requiring a larger initial payment if the choice is made after June 15. Additionally, the bill sets the total amount of required payments at the lower of ninety percent of the current year's tax or one hundred percent of the prior year's tax.

Establishes a captive insurance program for commuter vans, black cars, ambulettes and paratransit vehicles, small school buses, and charter buses that are engaged in the business of carrying or transporting eight to twenty-four passengers for hire; pre-arranged for-hire vehicles and accessible vehicles; defines terms.

Provides for temporary authorization of certain registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to practice at children's camps between June fifteenth and September fifteenth of each year.

Authorizes the director of the division of minority and women's business development and the mayor of the city of New York to enter into a memorandum of understanding to allow reciprocity between the state and New York City for businesses that are certified as minority and women-owned business enterprises.