Sen. Steve Rhoads

Simplifies the procedure by which injured workers obtain treatment for injuries covered by the workers' compensation law; provides that the list of pre-authorized procedures is to be used only as a list of treatment that does not require insurance carrier approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts the first $50,000 of taxable income for businesses employing 20 or fewer employees. It amends tax law to create this exemption, applying to all such businesses regardless of industry. The provision takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2027. It directly affects small businesses meeting the employee threshold by reducing their initial tax liability.

Maddy summaryS 7211 increases the maximum exclusion amount for pension and annuity income from federal taxable income to $22,000 (up from $20,000). It directly affects retirees aged 59.5 or older who receive regular pension or annuity payments from employer plans, IRAs, or self-employed retirement accounts. The bill modifies state tax law to allow more of these retirement payments to be excluded from taxable income, while excluding lump-sum distributions. This change applies to both individual and joint tax filers, with joint returns treated as if filed separately for this exclusion. The policy change is a straightforward adjustment to tax eligibility for qualifying retirement income.

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.

Establishes a task force for the review of the state administrative procedure act to ensure that administrative rulemaking, adjudication and licensing is consistent, uniform, and not unnecessarily burdensome for regulated entities.

Provides that where an employer or insurance carrier elects to controvert the right to compensation and such claimant holds a valid insurance policy, the employer or insurance carrier shall provide medical treatment to the injured claimant and payment to health care providers without regard to such controversy.

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.

Enacts the "child survivor privacy act"; provides protections for child victims and child witnesses; restricts information to the public regarding a child witness or child victim's identity or proceeding; defines child witness; provides that whenever practical, the same prosecutor, advocate, and/or social worker shall handle all aspects of a case involving an alleged child victim.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a New York State program to forgive student loans for mental health nurses who commit to working in underserved areas. It directly affects nurses who graduated from approved New York colleges, have outstanding student debt, and work as registered nurses, nurse practitioners, or clinical nurse specialists in state-licensed mental health settings. To qualify, applicants must commit to practicing for the award duration in a Health Resources and Services Administration-defined "rural" area or in state psychiatric hospitals, addiction centers, behavioral health clinics, or county mental health programs. Eligibility is competitive, with priority for economically disadvantaged applicants, and funding is limited to available appropriations.