Sen. Steve Rhoads

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 6551) requires health insurance plans in New York to cover image-guided breast biopsies when recommended by a physician based on nationally recognized clinical guidelines. It directly affects patients seeking breast cancer screening and diagnosis, as well as insurance companies that must now include this specific procedure in mandatory coverage. The bill amends insurance law to explicitly add "image-guided breast biopsies" to the list of covered services alongside mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRI scans. Coverage applies only when the procedure aligns with evidence-based guidelines developed by independent medical organizations. The change takes effect January 1, 2026, for all new or renewed insurance policies.

Enacts the "Nassau future protectors act" to provide additional credits to the Nassau county law enforcement explorers in competitive civil service examinations.

Establishes the farm ownership succession planning program to provide farm owners with a succession planning toolkit that can be used by such farm owners who plan on selling or closing their farm.

Designates the "Honor and Remember Flag" as the official state flag for recognizing armed service members who have died as a result of serving the United States in any war or conflict the nation has been involved in since its inception.

Maddy summaryNew York's S 1157 establishes a state-run savings program to help first-time homebuyers save for purchasing their first primary residence in New York. The program creates tax-advantaged savings accounts managed by the state comptroller, allowing eligible residents to contribute funds that qualify for state income tax benefits under Section 612 of the tax law. To qualify, applicants must have no prior ownership of any home (including mobile homes claimed as personal property on tax returns) and must use funds exclusively for buying or building a home in New York to be used as their primary residence for at least two years. The bill outlines specific account rules, defines "first-time homebuyer," and specifies allowable expenses like purchase costs for houses, condos, or cooperative units within the state.

Adds hazardous air quality to the state definition of a disaster; requires explicit inclusion of air quality emergency preparedness in local comprehensive emergency management plans with an action plan and annual inventory of air quality emergency resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 1056, amends existing laws to make criminal history background checks free of charge for mentoring programs operated by not-for-profit corporations. Currently, these programs pay a processing fee for background checks on prospective employees and mentors. Under this bill, mentoring programs run by not-for-profit corporations will no longer be charged this fee. The bill also updates the definition of a "mentoring program" to include youth sports programs.

Directs the commissioner of the office of mental health to promulgate rules and regulations prohibiting any suicide prevention or mental health services hotline operated or sponsored by the state from being automated.

Provides that for taxable years beginning on and after January first, two thousand twenty-six, a resident taxpayer who serves as an active volunteer firefighter or as a volunteer ambulance worker shall be allowed a credit against the tax imposed equal to eight hundred dollars; provides for a real property tax exemption under certain circumstances to an enrolled member of an incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department or incorporated voluntary ambulance service residing in such city, village, town, school district, special district, fire district or county.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 21 as "Down Syndrome Awareness Day" in New York State, adding it to the official list of commemorative days. It does not create new programs, funding, or regulations - it simply recognizes this date for awareness purposes. The designation affects New York State's official calendar of observances, aligning with other established days like Holocaust Remembrance Day and Juneteenth. The bill has no direct impact on individuals or policy implementation, as it is purely symbolic.