Allows for a new special open enrollment period to choose a new health insurance plan for consumers in certain instances to allow for continuity of care with an existing health care provider.
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.
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.
Authorizes local municipalities and political subdivisions to have final say on if a renewable energy power plant can be sited in such municipalities' or political subdivisions' jurisdiction; establishes conflict of interest standards for approving the siting of a renewable energy power plant in a local municipality or political subdivision; requires the office of renewable energy siting and electric transmissions establish a database to collect and display host agreements and land contracts for renewable energy power plants; establishes contract standards concerning the forfeiture of mineral rights for the siting of renewable energy power plants; regulates the conduct of businesses engaged in the conduct of selling renewable energy power plants.
Requires a mitigation ratio of three acres of mitigation for every acre of occupied grassland bird breeding habitat and one acre of mitigation for every acre of grassland bird wintering habitat included in a major electric transmission facility siting permit.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's mental hygiene law to add fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), including fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), partial FAS (pFAS), and alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND), to the official definition of developmental disability. It directly affects individuals with FASD who meet specific criteria: being over age seven, having a qualified medical diagnosis, experiencing symptoms before age 22, having a condition expected to continue indefinitely, and facing significant challenges in daily living activities. The key mechanism is expanding eligibility for developmental disability services to include these FASD diagnoses under existing law. This change ensures individuals with FASD can access support programs and services previously available only to those with other qualifying conditions.
Maddy summaryS 8591 establishes a 25-member commission to investigate foreign influence on New York State government and elections. The commission, appointed by state leadership (governor, assembly speaker, senate leaders), will examine weaknesses in laws related to lobbying by foreign entities, public corruption, ethics rules for government employees, and foreign interference in elections. It must issue a preliminary report by May 2026 and a final report by May 2027, making recommendations for legislative reforms. The commission has subpoena power but requires chairperson approval for subpoenas and must refer evidence of law violations to prosecutors. The commission expires six months after the final report is submitted.
Maddy summaryThis bill would allow local governments (counties, cities, towns, villages, or school districts) to create a property tax exemption for the primary residence of veterans with a 100% service-connected disability. To qualify, veterans must have an honorable discharge, a 100% disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and be permanently and totally disabled due to military service. The exemption covers all real property taxes, special district charges, and assessments on their primary home. This policy change directly affects veterans meeting these specific criteria, providing them with tax relief on their main residence starting with 2026 assessment rolls.
Relates to authorizing and regulating the use of electronic bell jar vending machines; requires responsible placement and operation of electronic bell jar vending machines; allows for geographic considerations for such machine placement.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands New York's veterans tuition award program to allow qualified veterans to transfer unused benefits to their spouse, child, or survivor. It defines "qualified veteran" as someone who would qualify for the award if they met enrollment requirements, and specifies who counts as an "eligible immediate family" member. Veterans can transfer all or part of their unused award, with transfers limited to children under 26 who meet service requirements (e.g., veteran served 10+ years unless discharged due to death or specific conditions). The bill caps annual transfers at 100 and requires veterans to designate beneficiaries via a form before the program's effective date in 2026.
