Sen. Chris Ryan

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.

Prohibits the manufacture, modification, sale, transfer, equipping, use, or operation of a robotic device or an uncrewed aircraft equipped or mounted with a weapon within the state.

Requires police vehicles, fire vehicles, ambulances and emergency ambulance service vehicles to be equipped with appropriate communication devices to facilitate real-time communication with deaf individuals.

Enacts the "Consumer and Small business Protection Act"; relates to standing for persons affected by prohibited or unlawful business practices; expands prohibited acts to include unfair, deceptive or abusive acts.

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.

Allows a tax exemption for taxpayers in the amount of the purchase price of a fire extinguisher, fire alarm, heat alarm or carbon monoxide alarm purchased for residential use during the month of October.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes regional minimum hourly payment rates that Medicaid must reimburse home care providers for services delivered to Medicaid patients. It directly affects home care agencies and providers employing aides covered by minimum wage laws, requiring rates to cover all direct care costs - including base wages, overtime, benefits, taxes, and mandated programs like COVID-19 sick pay. The commissioner must set these rates regionally based on cost factors, adjust them annually for labor law changes, and publish them publicly. Oversight includes comptroller reviews of managed care contracts to ensure rates meet the minimum standards.

Requires businesses that allow automatic renewals, continuous service offers, and automatic subscription renewals to provide notice regarding cancelling such renewals, services, or subscriptions.

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 bill requires school districts to create detailed site maps for emergency response as part of school safety plans. The maps must include floor plans, school grounds layouts, road maps of surrounding areas, and specific labels like hazardous materials locations, with features like true north orientation, grid coordinates, and compatibility with existing law enforcement software. Districts must verify map accuracy through initial and annual building walkthroughs. The bill also establishes funding eligibility through school building aid for approved mapping costs, ensuring schools don't need to purchase new software to share these maps with emergency responders.