Sen. James Skoufis

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Governor of New York to officially recognize April 2026 as Pet Cruelty Awareness Month. The resolution defines animal cruelty to include abuse, neglect, abandonment, and lack of proper care, and encourages residents to learn about these issues and report them to authorities. It does not create new laws or change existing regulations, but rather serves to raise public awareness about the treatment of animals in the state.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution commemorates the 66th anniversary of Senegalese Independence on April 4, 2026, by formally recognizing the historical significance of the date and honoring the Senegalese-American community in New York. The bill directs the legislative body to pause its proceedings to acknowledge this event and mandates that a copy of the resolution be sent to the Association of Senegalese in America. It serves as a symbolic gesture to celebrate Senegal's history and the contributions of its diaspora without altering any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryS 3276 changes New York State's highway law to make the state liable for damages caused by potholes or other defects on state highways, but only if the state received actual or constructive notice of the problem. It removes a previous seasonal exception (previously limiting liability between May 1 and November 15) and clarifies that the state remains liable for defects in maintained highway sections where notice was given. The bill does not apply to defects in bridges the state doesn't control or to damages occurring outside the state's maintained highway sections. This directly affects drivers or property owners injured by unaddressed potholes on state roads after the state was notified of the hazard.

Eliminates provisions exempting employees with disabilities from the minimum wage law; provides that laws or minimum wage orders that authorize an employer to pay a wage that is less than the minimum wage are valid provided that under such laws or orders an employee with a disability is paid the same wage as an employee in a comparable position that does not have a disability.

Relates to modular construction work; provides that modular construction shall comply with any existing municipal licensing requirements for all electrical, plumbing, and fire suppression work.

Relates to the calculation of past service credit for members in the title of deputy sheriff who provided police protection or correction officer service transferring between the New York state and local employees' retirement system to the New York state and local police and fire retirement system.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks Governor Kathy Hochul to officially designate April 2026 as Arab American Heritage Month in New York State. The resolution highlights the historical contributions and cultural significance of Arab Americans within the state, noting that New York is home to over 300,000 individuals from diverse Arab backgrounds. By directing copies of the resolution to the governor and several advocacy organizations, the measure seeks to raise public awareness and promote recognition of this community's heritage.

Maddy summaryBill S 5565 requires health insurance policies, including comprehensive-type coverage, and Medicaid to cover patient navigation services. This coverage is for individuals facing serious health conditions expected to last at least three months, who are at high risk for outcomes like hospitalization or physical decline. Patient navigation services include screening for nonclinical needs such as transportation or housing, connecting individuals to support services, and assisting with healthcare appointments. Reimbursement is provided to trained and certified patient navigators who work under the general supervision of a licensed healthcare provider.

Requires manufactured home park owners to provide a written justification for rent increases in excess of three percent of the current rent; provides that increases in costs to justify such rent increase for ordinary maintenance or repair to meet the warranty of habitability obligations must be shown to be necessary.

Maddy summaryThis bill grants Ryan D. O'Connor retroactive membership in New York City's employees' retirement system, counting his service from January 19, 2012 (when he began working for NYC Transit), instead of the date he accidentally joined later. It specifically grants him Tier IV retirement status, requires him to file a written request within one year of the bill's effective date, and ensures no past contributions are refunded. The city of New York bears all costs for this retroactive adjustment. This is a one-time exception for a single employee, not a new policy affecting broader groups.