Sen. Nathalia Fernández

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits government agencies from charging fees for certificates documenting stillbirths or pregnancy loss. It directly affects families seeking official records after a pregnancy loss, eliminating costs associated with obtaining these documents. Key provisions require health departments (including NYC's health department) and local registrars to issue these certificates without any fee. The law repeals previous provisions that permitted such charges, ensuring these certificates are provided at no cost.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the language in New York's Public Health Law by replacing the term "addict" with "person with substance use disorder" in sections governing medical treatment. It specifically affects healthcare practitioners who prescribe controlled substances for maintenance or detoxification treatment, ensuring they reference patients as "person with substance use disorder" instead of "addict" in legal documents. The key mechanism is a simple terminology update within existing prescribing provisions, aiming to use more clinical and less stigmatizing language. This change aligns with broader efforts to reduce stigma in healthcare communication.

Extends the statute of limitations of actions related to certain sex trafficking offenses, reviving such actions otherwise barred by the existing statute of limitations; grants trial preference to such actions; exempts such actions from certain provisions requiring notice of claims.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors Investigator Michael Theetge of the Chemung County Sheriff's Office for receiving the Order of the Blue Heart Award from Wounded Blue, a national organization supporting law enforcement officers injured on duty. The resolution formally commends his 14-year service, leadership as SWAT commander, and recovery from a severe March 2024 on-duty injury, directing that a copy be sent to him as a token of legislative respect.

Establishes the managed long term care high acuity stabilization pool to support managed long term care plans that demonstrate high performance on quality measures established by the department and serve a disproportionately high share of members with complex long term care needs or high service utilization.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative Senate Resolution (J 1558) honoring Margaret D. Williams, a Coney Island community leader and member of the doo-wop group The Cookies, who passed away in January 2026. The resolution recognizes her musical legacy - including chart-topping hits like "Chains" and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction - and her decades of community service, including 33 years with NYC Health and her work with the Coney Island History Project. It serves as a symbolic tribute from the legislature, expressing condolences to her family and celebrating her life’s impact. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or affect any policies.

Maddy summarySenate Bill S 4513 requires applicants for major projects located in or within one mile of a disadvantaged community to submit an enhanced public participation plan. This plan, submitted to the environmental department, must describe the project's potential impacts, the affected community, and how public information and input will be managed. Key provisions include holding at least three public meetings, providing information in plain language, and offering translations into common non-English languages to ensure meaningful community involvement in the permit process.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a requirement that parents or caretakers must earn a minimum wage or work a minimum number of hours to qualify for state child care assistance. It directly affects low-income families seeking child care support, eliminating a barrier that previously disqualified them based on earnings or work hours. The law amendment explicitly prohibits any minimum earnings requirement for those otherwise eligible under existing child care assistance rules. This change would allow more families to access child care support without needing to meet specific work or income thresholds.

Prohibits the sale of vape products that resemble school supplies, toys, or are packaged or advertised in any way to appeal to or target minors or the youth population.

Maddy summarySenate Bill S 7641 designates where revenue from the existing opioid excise tax in New York State will be allocated. It specifies that all taxes, interest, and penalties collected from this tax, after accounting for any refunds, will be deposited into the New York State Drug Treatment and Public Education Fund. This mechanism ensures that funds generated by the opioid excise tax are directly used to support drug treatment and public education initiatives throughout the state.