Sen. Jamaal Bailey

Maddy summaryBill S 7615 expands Medicaid coverage to include comprehensive neuropsychological examinations for dyslexia. This means individuals covered by Medicaid could receive these specialized diagnostic tests. To be covered, the exams must be performed by a licensed healthcare professional upon referral from a physician. The bill ensures access to specific diagnostic testing for dyslexia for Medicaid recipients.

Enacts the Educational Rights Transparency for New York Families Act, to establish standards for resource based educational rights of students within the state and implement a system of self-assessment and reporting by schools and school districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides Mount Vernon City School District with accelerated state payments to support its fiscal stability. It authorizes annual payments of $5 million starting in the 2025-2026 school year, calculated using a formula based on the number of years elapsed since 2025 (e.g., $5 million in 2025-2026, decreasing gradually over 28 years). The district must submit monthly financial reports detailing fund balances and usage of these payments, and quarterly budget reports comparing actual revenues/expenditures to estimates. These payments are deducted from future state aid to the district before other payments are made, and all reports are shared with state education and budget offices. The funding mechanism applies through the 2052-2053 school year.

Establishes a healthy savings pilot program within three cities where those in the program can receive discounts on healthier food choices at grocery stores and supermarkets.

Establishes a farm-to-school task force; directs the commissioner of education to develop a program to require all public schools to provide fresh foods to students in a manner that supports local agriculture and increases market opportunities for farmers from under-represented communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires a 75% transfer fee on the first sale or dissolution of Mitchell-Lama rental projects or mutual companies, paid by sellers after 20 years of occupancy. The fee applies to owners selling or dissolving these housing developments and funds a dedicated New York City/State housing fund. Proceeds must subsidize existing Mitchell-Lama projects, convert properties to limited-profit mutual companies with 99-year leases, fund zero-interest repair loans, and support other affordable housing developments. It directly affects owners of older Mitchell-Lama housing seeking to sell or dissolve their properties.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires businesses that offer telephone number spoofing services to maintain specific records of calls made using their platform. It mandates that these businesses track the displayed caller ID number, the actual originating number or IP address, and the call's time, date, and duration. The law directly affects companies providing spoofing services, such as certain call-forwarding or VoIP providers. The requirement applies to all spoofed calls handled through their systems, with the law taking effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals who own or manage more than four rental units in New York State from serving as public members on rent guidelines boards. It directly affects small-scale landlords (those managing 5+ units) by barring them from these boards, which set rent guidelines in areas with housing emergencies. The key provision amends existing law to add this restriction, ensuring public members have no direct financial stake in rental properties covered by the law. The change applies to all such boards statewide, including New York City's.

Maddy summarySenate Bill S 7941 expands the legal definition of "farm operation" to specifically include "urban farming" for purposes of agricultural districts. This change directly affects individuals and organizations engaged in urban agriculture. The bill amends the agriculture and markets law to recognize urban farming as a component of a farm operation. It defines "urban farming" as the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants, as well as the limited keeping of fowl or bees, and aquaculture.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1214) requires the Public Service Commission to conduct a study on improving broadband access across the state. The study must examine current internet speeds, regulatory barriers, successful policies from other states, potential public-private partnerships, and federal recommendations. The Commission must complete the study within 180 days of the bill's effective date and submit a final report to state leaders and post it online. The bill directly affects the Public Service Commission's responsibilities and will inform future decisions about broadband infrastructure. It does not create new regulations or funding but sets a process for evaluating solutions.