Sen. Michelle Hinchey

Maddy summaryThis New York State Senate resolution formally commends Richard Henry Wolfe posthumously for receiving the Liberty Medal, which is the highest individual honor awarded by the state legislature. The bill recognizes his service in the United States Navy aboard the USS Bang during the Cold War era and highlights his long-standing community involvement in Columbia County after his honorable discharge in 1963. It directs that a copy of the resolution be transmitted to his family as a tribute to his patriotism and dedication to public service.

Establishes the volunteer and municipal ambulance services grant program to support projects which sustain or enhance the operation of volunteer and municipal ambulance services, including but not limited to acquisition or maintenance of buildings, equipment, technology, or vehicles.

Enacts the "fostering optimal classroom use of screens (FOCUS) act" to limit use of internet enabled and electronic devices and prioritize non-digital teaching methods; prohibits use by younger students; limits and restricts certain uses by older students; requires written policies for opting in for the school issued devices; prohibits social media applications, gaming and AI in school issued devices; requires registration by educational technology providers.

Authorizes the town of Rhinebeck, county of Dutchess, to establish hotel and motel taxes within such town; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof.

Prohibits operators of a website, application, software, program, or service from allowing users to nudify a still or video image; prohibits advertising or promoting websites, applications, software, programs, or services that allow users to nudify a still or video image; provides an exception when technical skill is required to nudify an image; establishes penalties for violations of such provisions; establishes the nudification prohibition recoveries services fund to provide grants to support the direct needs of victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse.

Provides that a microbusiness licensee authorized to conduct retail sales may serve as a processor and cultivator for purposes of cannabis showcase event permits.

Establishes the home kitchen enterprise and economic opportunity act; relates to the licensing and operation of home kitchen operations which store, handle, prepare and package ready-to-eat food for consumers.

Enacts the "Social Worker Initiative for Faster Testing (SWIFT) act"; provides that with respect to the examination requirement for licensure as a master social worker, an applicant pursuing a master's of social work degree who is enrolled in the final semester of a program registered by the department of education or an educational program accredited or in candidacy for accreditation by the council on social work education shall be eligible to take the master's level examination.

Enhances the ability of the department of health to investigate, discipline, and monitor licensed physicians, physician assistants, and specialist assistants.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that posthumously honors Private First Class Alan Grant Blass by recognizing him as a recipient of the New York State Senate's Liberty Medal. The document formally acknowledges his service in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and details his heroic death in 1964 while operating heavy machinery in South Korea. It also notes that a ceremony will be held in July 2026 to celebrate his life and awards, and it directs that a copy of the resolution be sent to his family.