Sen. Jake Ashby

Creates a cyber security enhancement fund to be used for the purpose of upgrading cyber security in local governments, including but not limited to, villages, towns and cities with a population of one million or less; restricts the use of taxpayer moneys in paying ransoms in response to ransomware attacks.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York school districts to purchase or lease only zero-emission school buses (electric or hydrogen-powered, with no tailpipe emissions) when buying new buses starting July 1, 2027. It also mandates that any procurement for school transportation services or infrastructure components must prioritize U.S.-made parts and assembly, with limited waivers available for cost or feasibility concerns. School districts facing financial hardship may receive up to two years to comply after a cost-benefit analysis by the education commissioner. The law applies directly to all public school districts and their contractors, aiming for full transition to zero-emission buses by 2047 or when all state vehicle fleets meet the standard.

Relates to the availability of opioid reversal agents; requires the department of health to make available any formulation and dosage of opioid reversal agents approved by the federal food and drug administration.

Relates to defining "critical violations" of applicable statutes and regulations by child care providers licensed or registered by the office of children and family services; the imposition of sanctions and penalties for such violations by the office of children and family services; and processes for administrative appeal of such sanctions and penalties.

Creates a statewide central register of elder abuse and maltreatment reports and the elder justice coordinating council; mandates reporting by certain persons; facilitates interagency planning and reviews specific agency initiatives for their impact on the reporting and investigation of elder abuse and maltreatment in the state.

Establishes the professional practice of community midwifery; defines as the management in the home, birth center, or community setting, of normal pregnancies, child birth, and postpartum care, including newborn evaluation, resuscitation and referral for infants; sets requirements for license and practice.

Establishes a mental wellness group pilot program to partner with insurance companies to facilitate group therapy sessions for children ages ten through eighteen.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for New York's veterans tuition awards program to include Purple Heart recipients. It adds "Purple Heart recipient" to the list of qualifying veterans under the education law, defining it as someone awarded the Purple Heart under federal military law (10 U.S.C. §§ 1129 or 1129-a). The change allows Purple Heart recipients to access the same tuition assistance benefits previously available to other veterans, including up to eight full-time semesters of coverage at approved schools. The bill modifies existing eligibility language to explicitly include this group without creating new funding or altering benefit amounts.

Relates to participation by veterans with respect to state contracts by expanding Article 3 of the veterans' services law to cover all veteran-owned business enterprises instead of only service-disabled veteran-owned business enterprises; makes related corrections in law.

Establishes a direct service professional credit and career ladder tuition assistance grant program to develop training programs and improve existing workforce development programs for the purpose of training direct support professionals and establishing a career ladder for individuals working with individuals with developmental disabilities.