Sen. Pat Fahy

Maddy summaryBill S 5565 requires health insurance policies, including comprehensive-type coverage, and Medicaid to cover patient navigation services. This coverage is for individuals facing serious health conditions expected to last at least three months, who are at high risk for outcomes like hospitalization or physical decline. Patient navigation services include screening for nonclinical needs such as transportation or housing, connecting individuals to support services, and assisting with healthcare appointments. Reimbursement is provided to trained and certified patient navigators who work under the general supervision of a licensed healthcare provider.

Requires applicants for a permit, registration, or license issued by the cannabis control board to report any relevant law enforcement interactions that occur during the application review process; provides for automatic denial of such application for failure to make such report.

Requires the superintendent of financial services to audit certain reports to ensure such insurers are in full compliance with federal and state mental health and substance use disorder parity requirements.

Designates campuses which are operated by the state university of New York with at least sixteen thousand enrolled students and an on campus dormitory as early voting sites and polling sites; provides that such designation requirements shall not apply where an early voting site or polling site is already designated within one mile of the geographic boundaries of such campus.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that formally recognizes the 250th anniversary of Polish-American friendship alongside the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. It highlights the historical contributions of Polish figures like General Tadeusz Kosciuszko and General Casimir Pulaski to the American cause and celebrates the ongoing cultural and political ties between Poland and the United States. The resolution expresses appreciation to the Polish American Congress and directs copies of the document to the Polish American Congress Central New York, the Consulate General of Poland in New York, and the Polish American community in the state.

Relates to prosecution by the department of financial services (DFS) and municipalities of certain violations regarding residential real property by mortgage lenders and similar entities; directs DFS to promulgate standards of review of whether to prosecute such violations; requires deference to municipalities where both the municipality and DFS are authorized to prosecute such a violation; directs payments of civil penalties issued pursuant to such violations to be paid to DFS if DFS is the prosecuting entity.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 5538) automatically qualifies children with elevated blood lead levels (5 mcg/dl or higher in venous blood tests) for early intervention services under New York's public health law. It amends the definition of "disability" to include such lead exposure, ensuring these children receive support without additional screening or evaluation. The key mechanism adds lead levels to the list of conditions that trigger automatic eligibility for services like therapy or developmental support. This change directly affects young children diagnosed with lead exposure, streamlining access to critical early care.

Requires employment entities to engage in cooperative dialogue with persons requesting reasonable accommodations, or who such employment entities reasonably should have known may require such reasonable accommodations, due to disability, religion, or status as a victim of domestic violence.

Requires SUNY and CUNY trustees to refrain from investing in and subsequently divest from stocks, debt or other securities of certain publicly traded fossil fuel companies.

Relates to parole eligibility for certain incarcerated persons age fifty-five or older if they have served at least fifteen years of their sentence or sentences.