Sen. Pete Harckham

Prohibits public employers from diminishing health insurance benefits provided to Medicare-eligible retirees and their Medicare-eligible dependents or the contributions such employer makes for such health insurance coverage below the level of such benefits or contributions made on behalf of such retirees and dependents by the public employer as of December 31, 2021.

Provides additional requirements for approval of charter school applications; applies additional prohibitions to charter schools; requires certain financial disclosures by charter schools; requires charter schools to comply with provisions relating to construction, repair or demolition of school facilities; relates to admission of students.

Requires school districts to conduct mandatory early screening for dyslexia for all children commencing in pre-kindergarten or kindergarten and continuing thereafter on an annual basis until each child successfully completes second grade; requires school districts to designate an individual to maintain complete and accurate records containing early screening reports for each child, and to provide resources and materials to the parent and/or guardian of any child who displays indications of dyslexia.

Maddy summaryThe New York State Supplier Diversity Act (S 7443) aims to increase the participation of businesses owned by LGBT individuals, disabled individuals, and veterans in state contracts. It establishes a new Division of Supplier Diversity within the Office of General Services. This division will certify eligible businesses - defined as those at least 51% owned and controlled by these groups, with a significant state presence and up to 300 employees - and create a directory for state agencies to use. The bill applies to state contracts for services, supplies, and real property projects exceeding specified monetary thresholds.

Requires health insurers to provide coverage for long term medical care for Lyme disease and other tick borne related pathogens; provides for taxpayer gifts for tick borne illness research, detection and education; establishes the tick borne illness research, detection and education fund.

Requires school districts to provide instructional programming and services in reading and literacy which are evidence based and aligned with state standards; requires teachers in grades pre-K through five to attend professional development courses in reading education.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution J 741 formally congratulates Shayla Byrne, a student-athlete at South Glens Falls High School, for winning the 2025 New York State Public High School Athletic Association Girls Giant Slalom Championship. The resolution, adopted by the Senate, recognizes Byrne's achievement of breaking the one-minute barrier in both runs of the championship with a combined time of 1:57.06. It is transmitted to Byrne, her coach Erin Welch, and school administrators (including the principal and superintendent) as a formal tribute to her athletic accomplishment. This resolution has no policy impact and serves solely as a ceremonial acknowledgment of her sports achievement.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a bill with policy changes) memorializing Governor Hochul to officially recognize April 2025 as Sikh Awareness Month in New York. It asks the Governor to issue a proclamation highlighting Sikh contributions to New York's cultural and economic life, including historical context like Sikh immigration patterns and the significance of Vaisakhi and Guru Nanak's birthday in April 2025. The resolution directly affects all New Yorkers by promoting awareness of Sikh history and community contributions through state recognition. It has no binding policy impact but serves as a symbolic gesture to honor Sikh Americans.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (J 594) congratulating Carman Bogle for her decade-long service as Mayor of Cambridge, New York, concluding April 7, 2025. It formally recognizes her public service achievements, including leading pandemic response, police reform, infrastructure projects, and community initiatives. The resolution has no policy impact or legal effect - it is purely an expression of appreciation with no binding provisions. It was adopted by the Senate on April 8, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (J 753) symbolically recognizes a planned event celebrating the Dominican community's cultural contributions in Albany on April 9, 2025. It acknowledges the event hosted by the state legislature's Dominican Delegation, which aims to empower the community, strengthen civic engagement, and honor the Dominican diaspora's role in New York. The resolution does not create new laws, allocate funds, or directly affect any individuals or policies - it simply directs the legislature to pause its work to honor this cultural celebration.