Sen. James Skoufis

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a confidential internal registry for New York State teachers who are under active investigation for specific moral character issues, such as sexual offenses or boundary violations with students. It requires the state education department to notify teachers immediately when they are added to or removed from this list and to inform school districts about a teacher's status during background checks, while keeping the details private from the general public. The legislation also mandates that these specific complaints be prioritized for investigation and establishes a formal process for teachers to appeal their inclusion in the registry within thirty days.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Syd O. Sotillo Sickle Cell Treatment Act to improve care for people with sickle cell disease by designating specific hospitals as centers of excellence and outpatient treatment centers. The centers of excellence will receive annual funding for research and must partner with medical colleges, while outpatient centers will get funding to manage equipment and care for patients without needing to be admitted to the hospital. Additionally, the law clarifies that patients with sickle cell disease not in remission are exempt from strict opioid prescription limits that apply to other long-term pain conditions. These changes aim to standardize specialized care and ensure adequate resources for treating sickle cell disease across the state.

Provides for the licensure of school psychology practitioners; authorizes the use of the title "licensed school psychology practitioner" to licensed or exempt individuals; defines practice of licensed school psychology practitioners; sets forth requirements for professional licensure (including educational attainment, experience, exam and fee); provides for issuance of limited permits under specified circumstances; identifies exempt persons.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows specialized stores that sell homebrewing ingredients and equipment to sell beer for customers to take home. These stores are currently restricted to selling only beer produced within New York state, and the law clarifies that they may operate on the same property as a brewery. The change expands the types of licensed locations authorized to sell off-premises beer beyond traditional grocery and drug stores. The new rules take effect thirty days after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Fashion Environmental Accountability Act, requires large fashion sellers to conduct standardized environmental due diligence on their supply chains and establish a remediation fund. It applies to businesses selling new apparel, footwear, or fashion bags with over $100 million in annual gross receipts, while excluding used clothing retailers and most multi-brand stores. Companies must map their suppliers across four tiers, assess environmental risks, and report their findings using open data principles. Additionally, the legislation mandates that workers in the supply chain be paid a living wage and that any adverse environmental impacts be remediated through the newly created fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the legal requirement that a veteran must have served during a declared war to qualify for certain state benefits and protections. By amending the definition of "veteran" in the Social Services Law, the legislation expands eligibility to include service members who served in specific conflicts such as Lebanon, Grenada, and Panama, as well as those with qualifying medical conditions or LGBT status regardless of discharge type. The changes apply to state and local veterans' service agencies, which will now assist a broader range of individuals in accessing educational, medical, employment, and other support services. Ultimately, the bill ensures that these benefits are available based on service and specific circumstances rather than strictly on wartime participation.

Enacts the "Lieutenant Joseph Banish mental health act" to provide a testimonial privilege for communications arising out of law enforcement peer support counseling.

Enacts the "consumer and small business protection act"; relates to standing for persons affected by prohibited or unlawful business practices; expands prohibited acts to include unfair, deceptive or abusive acts.

Establishes the COVID-19 pandemic response study commission to conduct a study of the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic; provides for the repeal of such commission upon the completion of the commission's final report.

Requires railroad corporations to inform the division of homeland security and emergency services, department of environmental conservation and department of transportation about freight rail trains transporting hazardous materials prior to traveling on tracks within the state.