Sen. Jake Ashby

Relates to procedures relating to driving while ability impaired by drugs; defines impairment and intoxication; updates procedures for field testing of drivers suspected of being under the influence of drugs to include the use of oral/bodily fluid tests; provides that refusal to submit to such field tests is specified to be a traffic infraction; makes related provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates registration fees for special license plates designated for Gold Star Mothers - mothers who have lost a child in military service. It amends vehicle and traffic laws to ensure no fee or service charge applies when registering these specific plates. The change applies directly to eligible Gold Star Mothers who would otherwise pay standard registration costs for these commemorative plates. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the previous 10-visit or 30-day limit for licensed physical therapists treating patients without a physician referral. It directly affects physical therapists and their patients, allowing extended treatment without referral while adding new requirements: therapists must refer patients if symptoms suggest conditions outside their scope, maintain communication with primary care providers during treatment, and provide written notice to patients about potential insurance coverage issues without a referral. The law mandates this notice be documented in patient records. Patients may face uncovered costs if treatment occurs without a referral, as insurers typically require one for coverage.

Relates to prehospital emergency medical services for individuals in substance use recovery; requires policies, procedures, and protocols to be developed to identify individuals in substance use recovery and to avoid treatment that could compromise such individuals' recovery.

Maddy summaryS 5374 amends New York's penal law to increase the felony classification for assaults targeting specific public safety personnel. It raises assault on police officers from a class D to a class C felony under Section 120.05, elevates assault on peace officers to a class B felony (from class C) under Section 120.08, and upgrades aggravated assault on police to a class A felony (from class B) under Section 120.11. These changes directly affect individuals convicted of assaulting police officers, firefighters, or emergency medical personnel. The bill makes the penalties for these specific crimes more severe by moving them to higher felony classifications. The legislation takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax credit allowing taxpayers to offset 50% of licensing or relicensing fees paid to state or federal agencies for hydroelectric power projects. It directly affects businesses and developers subject to taxes under specific sections of the tax code (articles 9, 9-A, 22, and 33). The credit can be applied against income taxes, with unused portions carried forward to future tax years if it reduces taxes below minimum thresholds. The bill modifies multiple tax code sections to implement this credit and its carryover rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 3144, expands the required service area for accessible paratransit transportation. It mandates that accessible buses be available within a service area measuring three miles from any bus line operated by a transportation authority or its subsidiaries. This provision applies to both existing requirements for a percentage of accessible buses and the mandate for 100% accessible fixed-route buses, aiming to ensure broader geographical access for transportation-disabled persons, including those in wheelchairs.

Maddy summaryS 1888 requires New York state correctional facilities to establish addiction counseling programs for incarcerated individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders following medical screening. The bill mandates that facilities partner with the Office of Addiction Services and Supports to create individualized treatment plans, though participation is voluntary. It also extends these requirements to county jails through new standards for equivalent counseling services. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment. This directly affects incarcerated people with substance use disorders in both state and county correctional facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds veterans to the list of protected classes under New York's housing discrimination law. It prohibits landlords, property owners, and housing providers from refusing to rent, sell, or lease housing accommodations based solely on a person's veteran status. The law applies to both publicly-assisted housing (Section 1) and general housing, land, or commercial space (Section 2). These changes take effect immediately upon enactment.

Establishes the veterans' services organization capital support program to provide funding to eligible entities for payment of the capital costs of construction, improvement, repairs, rehabilitation, or reconstruction of facilities owned by eligible entities, and for the acquisition of related equipment with a useful life of not less than ten years; appropriates a sum of $10,000,000 therefor.