Sen. James Skoufis

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New York's vehicle dealer location rules to allow new or relocated dealers to open closer to existing dealers when separated by the Hudson River. Specifically, it permits dealers in counties with over 100,000 residents to operate within 10 miles of an existing dealer on the opposite side of the river (instead of the standard 6-mile requirement). The distance is measured along roadways between the nearest boundaries of each dealer's location. This change directly affects motor vehicle dealers seeking to establish locations across the Hudson River in larger-county areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow licensed pharmacists to order and administer FDA-approved tests for certain infectious diseases (like flu or STIs) after completing required training. It directly affects pharmacists by expanding their scope of practice and patients seeking rapid, accessible testing for suspected infections. Pharmacists would need to follow federal lab rules and use only tests approved for limited settings. The bill is currently pending in the Health committee with no votes taken.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1687) changes New York State's election calendar by moving the presidential primary election from February to the same date as state primaries - specifically, the fourth Tuesday in June. It directly affects voters participating in presidential primaries and political parties selecting delegates for national conventions. The key provision amends election law to eliminate the separate February presidential primary, instead requiring all presidential nominations to occur during the existing June primary election. This aligns the presidential primary with state-level elections, streamlining the voting process for New York residents.

Maddy summaryBill S 7952 permits the sewage-works corporation in the Town of Tuxedo to place liens on real property owned by homeowners who are delinquent on their sewage service payments. If a homeowner's payments remain unpaid for one calendar year from the first missed payment, the corporation can file a lien on that property. This lien must be filed with the appropriate county office and a copy served to the homeowner within ten days. While the lien allows for enforcement of the debt, it does not take priority over other existing security interests on the property.

Maddy summaryBill S 3655 establishes a new 25-year retirement plan for firefighters employed by the Division of Military and Naval Affairs. This plan allows eligible firefighters, including airport firefighters and training and safety officers, to retire after completing 25 years of creditable service. Upon retirement, these members would receive a retirement allowance equal to one-half of their final average salary. The bill specifies that creditable service includes time in their DMNA firefighter roles, service as a paid firefighter in other departments, and certain wartime service. Members have one year from the effective date to elect to join this new plan.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new internal registry for active investigations into specific moral character complaints against New York teachers or applicants. It only includes cases involving boundary violations between teachers and students, sex-related offenses, or sexual complaints, as determined by the commissioner. School districts seeking to hire an applicant are notified if they're on the registry, but the registry's details remain confidential except to school administrators. Teachers added to the registry can appeal within 30 days, and investigations must be prioritized for completion. The bill does not change existing moral character standards but standardizes how such complaints are tracked and communicated.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits manufacturers, distributors, and retailers from offering gifts, rewards, or free items to customers purchasing oral nicotine pouches. It directly affects businesses selling these smokeless nicotine products, which are defined as pre-portioned oral pouches containing nicotine (from tobacco or synthetic sources) and other ingredients like flavoring. The key provision bans any incentive tied to the purchase of these products, applying specifically to oral nicotine pouches as legally defined. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Prohibits discrimination against and harassment or bullying of students by other students on school property or at a school function; requires schools to investigate reports of bullying; requires schools to adopt a written, plain-language anti-bullying and harassment policy; requires school employees to report incidents of bullying or harassment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most health insurance plans to cover contraceptive services provided by pharmacists without cost-sharing. It mandates coverage for all FDA-approved contraceptives (including over-the-counter options), emergency contraception, patient counseling, and follow-up care like device insertion/removal. Plans must allow dispensing up to 12 months of contraceptives at once and reimburse pharmacists the same rate as other healthcare providers. The law applies to group/blanket health insurance policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, directly affecting insured individuals and pharmacists providing these services.

Authorizes the town of Chester to establish community preservation funds; establishes a real estate transfer tax with revenues therefrom to be deposited in said community preservation fund.