Sen. Jamaal Bailey

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 316 honors Mary E. Rainey, a Peekskill community leader who died on January 3, 2025, for her 40-year career at the Westchester Community Action Program, including her work with youth through the Youth Employment Program. The resolution recognizes her dedication to community welfare, civic service, and leadership at the Kiley Center. It directs that a copy be transmitted to her family as a formal tribute. This is a commemorative resolution with no policy impact or affected parties beyond honoring her legacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2676) sets new rules for health insurance step therapy protocols, which require patients to try lower-cost medications first before covering more expensive options. It directly affects health insurance plans and patients needing specialty medications by limiting step therapy to no more than two drugs in the same category, capping the required trial period at 30 days (or evidence-based guidelines), and requiring insurers to accept doctors' written documentation of treatment failure as proof. The bill also prevents insurers from reapplying step therapy for patients who completed it under prior coverage or for drugs previously approved by the plan. These changes take effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (J 312) is a ceremonial request for Governor Kathy Hochul to officially designate February 2025 as Black History Month in New York State. It does not create new laws or affect specific groups; instead, it asks the Governor to issue a formal proclamation recognizing the month. The resolution cites historical milestones of African American contributions to U.S. history, culture, and civil rights as context for the observance. It was adopted by the legislature on February 5, 2025, but remains a symbolic gesture without binding policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis is a procedural resolution (not a bill with policy changes) memorializing Governor Hochul to proclaim June 2025 as Aphasia Awareness Month in New York State, aligning with National Aphasia Awareness Month. It requests the Governor issue an official proclamation to increase public awareness of aphasia - a communication disorder often caused by stroke or brain injury. The resolution does not create new laws or alter existing policies; it is a symbolic gesture to recognize the condition and its impact on approximately 2 million people in the U.S. The resolution was adopted by the legislature on February 4, 2025.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 298 requests Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 13, 2025, as Borinqueneers Day in New York State. This resolution honors the Borinqueneers (65th U.S. Army Infantry Regiment), a unit of Puerto Rican soldiers recognized for their service during the Korean War, including receiving numerous military honors. It aligns with the national observance established by Congress in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, which designated April 13 as National Borinqueneers Day. The resolution serves as a commemorative recognition of the unit's historical contributions to U.S. military history.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (J 308) formally honors the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York for its role in celebrating Prince Hall Day 2025. It recognizes the organization's community service, charitable work, and commitment to Prince Hall's legacy of brotherhood and justice, under Grand Master Darren M. Morton. The resolution, adopted on February 4, 2025, commends the Lodge and transmits a copy to its leadership as a symbolic gesture of appreciation. It has no policy impact or direct effect on citizens, as it is a ceremonial resolution.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate Resolution (not a bill) requesting Governor Hochul to designate September 2025 as "Recovery Month" in New York State. It aligns with the existing National Recovery Month observed every September to celebrate individuals in recovery from substance use and mental health disorders. The resolution symbolically recognizes the work of treatment providers and promotes awareness of prevention, treatment, and recovery services. It does not create new laws, programs, or funding - it is solely a formal request for the Governor to issue a proclamation.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution requests Governor Hochul to proclaim February 4, 2025, as Canada Day in New York, recognizing the state's economic and cultural ties with Canada. It cites New York's $28 billion in annual trade with Canada, 800 Canadian-owned businesses employing 58,000 New Yorkers, and cross-border initiatives like the Champlain Hudson Power Express project. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally asks the governor to issue the proclamation. It was adopted by the Senate on February 4, 2025, and will be sent to the governor and Canadian Consulate for consideration.

Provides regulatory control of Internet service providers by the public service commission; requires Internet neutrality; relates to the placement of equipment on utility poles.

Relates to providing more predictable and stable schedules for employees in low-wage occupations; provides that an employer shall pay an employee for at least 4 hours at the basic minimum hourly wage for each day an employee reports for work as instructed but is given less than four hours of work.