Sen. Dan Stec

Establishes the rural suicide prevention council to identify barriers to mental health and substance use treatment and prevention services and other policies, practices, resources, services, and potential legislation that aim to reduce death by suicide and suicide attempts and acknowledge the demographic and cultural differences in rural communities; makes related provisions.

Exempts certain property in the village of Lake Placid, town of North Elba, from the prohibition of alcohol sales within a certain distance from a church.

Exempts veterans and those on active duty from paying certain fees for travel on the New York world war veterans memorial highway in Essex county or Prospect mountain veteran's memorial highway in Warren county.

Relates to distinctive license plates issued to gold star mothers; permits gold star mothers to retain one keepsake plate as a commemorative item after distinctive plates are surrendered.

Relates to the amount of St. Lawrence county economic development power that may be used by the New York Power Authority to generate net earnings and authority-TMED contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New York's "First Responder Peer Support Program Act," creating a statewide grant program to fund peer-to-peer mental health support for first responders. It directly affects firefighters, police officers, EMTs, 911 operators, emergency dispatchers, coroners, and other emergency personnel by providing grants to local entities for trauma-informed training and mental health services. Key provisions include mandatory evidence-based training on suicide prevention and resilience, strict confidentiality rules prohibiting disclosure of personal information, and annual reporting requirements that exclude identifiable data. The program aims to improve mental health access while ensuring privacy and reducing barriers for those in high-stress emergency response roles.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution honors Senator Michael N. Gianaris as he receives the President Pro Tempore and Senate Majority Leader's Legislative Legacy Award. The bill formally recognizes his decades of public service, highlighting his legislative achievements in areas such as tenant rights, criminal justice reform, and election access. It expresses the Senate's gratitude for his contributions and directs that a copy of the resolution be sent to him as a token of appreciation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4448) changes New York State civil service law to allow Clinton County to hire retired state police officers as special patrol officers without requiring them to pass standard civil service exams or meet other usual hiring rules. It directly affects Clinton County (which could use this provision) and retired members of the state police division (who could now be hired under these simplified terms). The key provision removes typical civil service requirements for these specific hires, streamlining the process for the county. The bill does not create new programs or funding but modifies existing employment rules. It is a procedural change focused solely on hiring flexibility for Clinton County's special patrol positions.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New York's definition of "period of war" in the real property tax law to expand eligibility for the alternative veterans' exemption. It adds specific recent military conflicts to the existing list, including the Global War on Terrorism (September 11, 2001, through end of hostilities), and NATO combat operations in Somalia (1992-1994), Bosnia (1995-2004), and Kosovo (1999-1999). Veterans who served during these newly included periods will now qualify for the tax exemption. The change directly affects veterans whose service falls within these defined modern conflicts, ensuring they meet the eligibility criteria under current law.

Transfers certain state property owned by the New York state division of military and naval affairs located in the town of Queensbury to the county of Warren provided certain requirements are met.