Sen. Chris Ryan

Maddy summaryBill S 8038, known as the "State Police Retention act," establishes a Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) for eligible members and officers of the division of state police. This plan allows state police who qualify for retirement (with at least 20 years of service) to continue working for an additional period of 12 to 36 months. During this time, their monthly retirement benefits are deferred and held by the retirement system, accruing interest at 1.5%. Upon completing their elected DROP period, participants receive the total accumulated deferred benefits, which can be paid as a lump sum or rolled over, and then begin receiving their regular service retirement benefit. The act is set to expire five years after becoming law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 5249) automatically grants Medicaid eligibility to workers participating in strikes or labor disputes, ensuring they maintain health coverage during the strike period. It directly affects striking employees who would otherwise lose Medicaid due to employment status, without requiring them to reapply. Key provisions include limiting coverage strictly to the duration of the strike, prohibiting the consideration of personal resources (like savings) when determining eligibility, and allowing temporary "presumptive eligibility" through health department processes. The bill requires the Health Commissioner to create implementing regulations for eligibility rules and covered services.

Maddy summaryS 4930 makes certain fees charged for emergency medical services (EMS) permanent, replacing a temporary 4-year provision that was set to expire. The bill changes existing law to eliminate the expiration date for fees collected by municipalities or EMS providers under a 2022 law. This directly affects local governments and emergency medical service organizations that collect these fees. The key change is removing the automatic repeal after four years, ensuring these fees remain in place indefinitely. The bill does not create new fees or alter service requirements - only changes the duration of existing fee collection.

Requires hearings on claims for compensation to occur within 120 days; results in a default judgment for the claimant if such hearing has not occurred within 120 days.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the real property tax exemption for unimproved land owned by certain nonprofit organizations to a 7-year period. Nonprofits must either begin development or have plans in place within 7 years of acquiring the land (with a special start date for pre-existing land), or lose the exemption. Exceptions apply for children's camps (as defined in public health law) and conservation organizations (as defined in environmental law). The law requires nonprofits to actively develop land within this timeframe to maintain the tax benefit.

Enacts the consumer protection and automotive transparency act mandating transparency in automotive labeling relating to materials used in motor vehicles.

Enacts the "fair college admissions act"; prohibits legacy admissions policies at colleges and universities in New York; declares such policies and practices to be discriminatory and inequitable.

Safeguards cash accounts for people with developmental disabilities in a facility under the control of the commissioner of mental health, the commissioner of the office for people with developmental disabilities and the commissioner of alcoholism and substance abuse services.

Imposes fines for failure to exercise due care and move over when approaching parked, stopped or standing motor vehicles on the shoulder of a highway.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's workers' compensation law to clarify procedures for employers and insurance carriers appealing compensation awards. It requires appeals to be filed within 30 days of an award, imposes a $500 penalty for frivolous appeals, and explicitly states that appeals cannot delay payment of ongoing compensation or medical benefits to injured workers. The changes also specify that employers must continue paying benefits during appeals and allow claimants to receive reimbursement for payments made during disputed appeals. These provisions directly affect employers, insurers, and injured workers navigating compensation disputes.