Sen. James Skoufis

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 5540) sets a new minimum hourly wage rate for home care workers in upstate New York counties, excluding New York City boroughs and Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties. It requires the cash portion of their minimum wage to be the existing regional rate plus an additional $3.22 per hour, effective October 1, 2025. The policy directly affects home care aides working in these specified upstate counties. It extends existing wage parity protections by adding a fixed hourly supplement to regional wage rates.

Prohibits broad indemnification by a design professional of a state or local agency or political subdivision involving public work for contracts except to the extent that damages were caused by or the result of the negligence, recklessness, or willful misconduct of the design professional.

Maddy summaryS 2429 creates a New York state tax credit for employers who hire residents from targeted groups (like veterans, ex-offenders, or long-term unemployed individuals) as defined by federal law. Employers can claim up to $500 per eligible employee annually, with a total lifetime cap of $90 million and an annual limit of $30 million. The credit reduces state tax liability but cannot lower tax below minimum thresholds, and any unused credit is treated as an overpayment. The program applies to wages paid starting January 1, 2026, and expires December 31, 2028. It directly affects New York employers hiring from specified target populations.

Requires background checks for a person prior to employment in a position involving substantial contact with children while dressed as a children's character; provides certain penalties for violations.

Requires the department of financial services publish a report on long-term care insurance rates including historical rates and the dates and amounts of any rate changes.

Maddy summaryS 8258 empowers the Superintendent of Financial Services to place insurers in "hazardous financial condition" under administrative supervision. If an insurer fails to meet financial safety standards (e.g., endangering policyholders, violating laws, or operating fraudulently), the Superintendent can issue a 60-day order requiring corrective actions. During supervision, insurers cannot pay claims, sell assets, issue new policies, or make major financial decisions without prior approval. This bill directly affects insurers facing financial instability, creating a structured process for oversight while protecting policyholders and public interests.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it a crime to intentionally stage a construction site accident to file a fraudulent insurance claim. It specifically targets individuals who enter a construction site to create or arrange an accident, or who direct others to do so, with the intent to submit a false insurance claim. The offense is classified as a class E felony, punishable by up to four years in prison. This law directly affects construction workers, contractors, or others involved in insurance claims who might attempt to fabricate accidents for financial gain.

Establishes the "New York individuals with dyslexia education act"; implements a plan to identify and support students with characteristics of dyslexia; requires annual screening in grades K-5; directs intervention and notification; directs education department to develop a handbook providing guidance to parents and teachers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public school districts to implement mandatory dyslexia screening for students starting in kindergarten, with annual screenings until the end of second grade. The screening must be evidence-based, low-cost, and efficient. Schools must provide small-group, multi-sensory phonics instruction as intervention services for students identified with dyslexia or related learning differences. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Requires health insurance policies to offer full coverage for annual testing for ovarian cancer; requires certain health care providers offer annual testing for ovarian cancer.