Sen. Nathalia Fernández

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates a state study to examine how hospitals and birthing centers integrate doula care into maternal health services. It requires the health department to identify existing "doula-friendly" facilities, analyze successful programs in New York and other states, and develop recommendations for standardized practices - such as visitor status for doulas, inclusion in birth processes, and data collection. The study will report findings and best practices to the governor and legislature by December 2027. This bill directly affects healthcare facilities, doulas, and maternal health systems by laying groundwork for potential future policy changes, but does not create new laws or funding.

Relates to the purchase of claims by corporations or collection agencies; relates to the inference of an assignee's intent and purpose in taking an assignment of a claim against an obligor that is not an eligible obligor.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York's health department to create and maintain an ongoing public education program about Legionnaires' disease, a type of lung infection. The program must provide clear information on symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment through printed materials for healthcare providers to share with patients, plus updated content on the department's website. The health department must regularly review and update this information and report every three years to state leaders on the program's progress. The program applies directly to the state health department, healthcare providers distributing materials, and the public seeking information about Legionnaires' disease.

Requires that any penalties for violations of housing standards or building and fire codes be assessed and imposed within fourteen days; increases certain fine amounts for violations of housing standards.

Provides for enrollment of eligible incarcerated persons in the medical assistance for needy persons program; provides for enrollment of incarcerated individuals in other medical assistance programs, where eligible.

Requires certain labeling to be used to indicate the safety dates and quality dates of food products; requires the department of agriculture and markets to educate consumers about such provisions.

Establishes a veterans' bill of rights; provides sample language for such bill of rights; requires the department of veterans' services to establish and distribute a veterans' bill of rights and to make such bill of rights available on the department's website.

Provides that court records in a proceeding under articles 77, 78 and 81 of the mental hygiene law shall not be perused, examined, disclosed, taken or copied by any other person than a party, the attorney or counsel of a party, the guardian, the court evaluator or the court examiner except by order of the court, or the office of the attorney general.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New York's "First Responder Peer Support Program Act," creating a statewide grant program to fund peer-to-peer mental health support for first responders. It directly affects firefighters, police officers, EMTs, 911 operators, emergency dispatchers, coroners, and other emergency personnel by providing grants to local entities for trauma-informed training and mental health services. Key provisions include mandatory evidence-based training on suicide prevention and resilience, strict confidentiality rules prohibiting disclosure of personal information, and annual reporting requirements that exclude identifiable data. The program aims to improve mental health access while ensuring privacy and reducing barriers for those in high-stress emergency response roles.

Requires timely public advertising or marketing of listed residential properties on platforms accessible to the general public; permits non-public marketing only where the seller gives informed, written direction after receiving a standardized state disclosure that clearly explains the risks and tradeoffs of withholding a listing from public marketing.