Sen. Pat Fahy

Maddy summaryThis bill permanently authorizes photo radar cameras to monitor speed violations in highway construction and maintenance work zones on freeways. It increases the maximum number of camera locations from 20 to 40 on controlled-access highways (including the Thruway, where it rises from 10 to 20 locations). The commissioner of transportation and Thruway Authority chair must select sites based on speed data, crash history, and road design, while avoiding exit ramps. The program requires a public hearing and board approval before implementation.

Authorizes school districts that provide transition services to allow the delivery of such transition services, including integrated employment, during school hours.

Maddy summarySenate Bill S 8099 postpones the implementation and enforcement of the Advanced Clean Cars II regulations. This bill directs the Department of Environmental Conservation not to require manufacturers of passenger cars and light duty trucks to sell an increasing percentage of zero-emission vehicles earlier than January 1, 2028. This action directly affects the timeline for these environmental standards.

Maddy summarySenate Bill S 7872 allows a court to order the Division of Criminal Justice Services to compare a defendant's fingerprints against statewide and national databases. This comparison can be ordered if the court determines the fingerprint meets federal or state requirements. The court must also find a reasonable probability that the comparison results, if available, would have led to a more favorable trial verdict or prevented a guilty plea. This bill provides a new mechanism for courts to potentially review fingerprint evidence in criminal cases, affecting defendants, courts, and law enforcement agencies.

Establishes the crimes of assault on a child protective services worker, aggravated assault on a child protective services worker and menacing a child protective services worker.

Establishes the New York Health program, a comprehensive system of access to health insurance for New York state residents; provides for administrative structure of the plan; provides for powers and duties of the board of trustees, the scope of benefits, payment methodologies and care coordination; establishes the New York Health Trust Fund which would hold monies from a variety of sources to be used solely to finance the plan; enacts provisions relating to financing of New York Health, including a payroll assessment, similar to the Medicare tax; establishes a temporary commission on implementation of the plan; provides for collective negotiations by health care providers with New York Health.

Expands pharmacy benefit management services to include the management or administration of benefits relating to durable medical equipment; defines "durable medical equipment"; relates to pharmacy or durable medical equipment provider audits by pharmacy benefit managers.

Enacts "Killian's law"; establishes a timely repair for wheelchair program; extends the warranty period for wheelchairs to 2 years; deems all wheelchair repairs needed within 5 years of initial prescription medically necessary.

Maddy summaryThis New York state bill (S 4425) allows qualifying low-income workers to receive advance payments of their Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) during the year instead of waiting for their annual tax refund. It lowers the age requirement for eligibility from 25 to 19 years old, removes the age 65 ineligibility rule, and increases the EITC credit percentage to 35% for most taxpayers starting in 2027 (with a 15.3% rate for those without children). The bill requires four prepayments: three during the tax year (20% each of the estimated credit) and one adjusted payment after tax filing, all delivered via direct deposit or EBT card. These changes apply to New York residents who meet federal EITC criteria but would otherwise face delays in receiving their credit.

Establishes the "SNAP for students act" requiring the office of temporary and disability assistance to create informational materials to provide information regarding student eligibility for SNAP benefits and to provide digital versions of such materials to institutions of higher education in the state; requires institutions of higher education to notify students of their potential eligibility for SNAP benefits.