Sen. Shelley Mayer

Enacts "Francesco's law" which establishes violations for the failure to safely store rifles, shotguns, and firearms in the presence of a minor or a prohibited person; requires the office of gun violence prevention to collect and analyze statistical and other information and data with respect to injuries or deaths of minors resulting from failure to safely store a firearm, rifle, or shotgun.

Prohibits gas and electric corporations from recovering labor-related legal costs or workers' compensation loss adjustment expenses from ratepayers through rates, charges, surcharges, adjustment mechanisms, riders, or reconciliation mechanisms; defines labor-related legal activity.

Relates to voting rights and access for incarcerated individuals; authorizes polling places to be available at correctional facilities and local facilities; requires such facilities to provide persons detained or confined in such facilities access to register to vote or apply for an absentee ballot; requires voting information to be included in the inmate handbook.

Prohibits members of the military or armed government presence at polls from interfering with elections; provides for civil enforcement of such prohibitions.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution honors Senator Michael N. Gianaris as he receives the President Pro Tempore and Senate Majority Leader's Legislative Legacy Award. The bill formally recognizes his decades of public service, highlighting his legislative achievements in areas such as tenant rights, criminal justice reform, and election access. It expresses the Senate's gratitude for his contributions and directs that a copy of the resolution be sent to him as a token of appreciation.

Requires both the department of public service staff and the utility to provide separate, substantive responses to discovery requests and cross-examination questions seeking evidence or explanations related to elements of the joint proposal and explain how any contested aspect of the joint proposal delivers outcomes for utility consumers that are in compliance with all applicable laws and are at least as favorable as would have resulted had its testimonial position been approved by the public service commission.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare providers found guilty of serious misconduct - such as sexual abuse, drug abuse harming patients, or inappropriate prescribing resulting in harm - to provide written disclosure to current and new patients before treatment. The disclosure must detail their disciplinary status, penalties, practice restrictions, and resources for further information. Providers must obtain a signed copy of this disclosure before the first patient visit or treatment. Exceptions apply in emergencies or if a patient is incapacitated and their representative isn’t available. The law applies to probationary orders issued on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Sickle Cell Treatment Act" to improve care for sickle cell disease patients in New York. It designates five "centers for excellence" (with two north of Putnam/Orange counties) and ten outpatient treatment centers based on patient populations, providing each center with annual funding ($500,000 for excellence centers, $250,000 for outpatient centers) to support specialized care, research, and equipment. The bill also modifies opioid prescribing rules to exempt sickle cell disease patients from a three-month opioid limit, ensuring they can receive necessary pain management without restrictive barriers. These changes directly affect hospitals designated as centers, sickle cell patients requiring specialized care, and healthcare providers managing chronic pain.

Relates to participation in World Trade Center rescue, recovery and cleanup operations by members of the organized militia; provides that members of the organized militia shall qualify as employees for the purposes of making a claim under the workers' compensation law for participation in the World Trade Center rescue, recovery and cleanup operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4955) sets new standards for how New York's Medicaid Inspector General audits and reviews payments to healthcare providers. It requires the Inspector General to follow specific protocols when checking claims, cost reports, or payments, including providing providers access to applicable standards before audits begin. Key provisions include mandating detailed explanations in audit reports, considering factors like whether errors were minor clerical mistakes (e.g., transposed codes), and limiting recoupment for isolated errors. The bill directly affects Medicaid providers who receive state medical assistance payments, ensuring audits are transparent, fair, and based on clear, documented procedures.