Establishes a waiver program allowing a domestic violence residential program to apply to the office of children and family services for a waiver enabling a victim of domestic violence to remain at the program's shelter for a period exceeding one hundred and eighty days.
Requires health insurance coverage for prosthetic and orthotic devices that equals the coverage and payment provided for by federal laws and regulations for the aged and disabled.
Maddy summaryS 703 amends New York's animal cruelty law by removing the requirement that injury must be "serious" to qualify as aggravated cruelty. This change means prosecutors no longer need to prove severe physical harm to charge someone with aggravated cruelty to animals. The bill defines "aggravated cruelty" as conduct intentionally causing extreme pain or carried out in a depraved or sadistic manner, applying to companion animals. The law directly affects individuals accused of animal cruelty, broadening the scope of what constitutes a punishable offense under this specific charge.
Ensures that color vision requirements for appointment of police officers are tailored to only eliminate individuals with extreme color vision deficiencies from eligibility; provides methods under which an individual can meet such requirements after failing to meet an initial color vision standard.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs New York's State Board of Real Property Tax Services to study how high levels of tax-exempt property (like parks, nonprofits, or government buildings) affect local communities. The study will examine the percentage of tax-exempt land in each county, its impact on housing, small businesses, jobs, population, and parkland in counties with the highest exemption rates over five years, and explore policy changes to reduce tax burdens on taxable properties. The board must report findings and recommendations to state leaders within one year. The bill expires after two years or when the report is delivered, whichever comes first.
Restricts the performance of surgical devocalization procedures on dogs and cats; prohibited for reasons of convenience in keeping or handling a dog or cat.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies state franchise laws to exempt certain cross-border sales from registration requirements. Specifically, it allows a company to offer or sell a franchise to a person living in another state without registering the offer, as long as the franchise will not be operated within this state and all federal and other state rules are followed. The change aims to reduce administrative burdens for businesses engaging in interstate franchise transactions while maintaining compliance with broader regulations. The law will not take effect immediately but will begin ninety days after it is officially enacted.
Allows Christopher Strattner, a retired police officer, to serve as chief of police for the town of Fishkill police department without diminution of retirement benefits.
Prohibits the application of fail-first or step therapy protocols to coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of serious mental health conditions; defines serious mental health condition.
Establishes a statewide program to provide free SUNY, CUNY, and community college tuition to active volunteer firefighters, volunteer emergency medical services providers, and volunteer auxiliary police officers.
