Sen. Chris Ryan

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts health care employers from requiring nurses or health care workers (excluding doctors, residents, and security staff) to work more than their regularly scheduled hours, except in specific emergencies or during ongoing surgical procedures. It defines "regularly scheduled work hours" to include pre-scheduled on-call time and shift report communication, and prohibits using on-call time as a substitute for mandatory overtime. Exceptions include health care disasters, official emergency declarations, unanticipated staffing emergencies, or procedures requiring continuous presence for patient safety. The law aims to protect patient care quality by limiting excessive work hours, without affecting existing rights under other laws or collective bargaining agreements.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 2710, changes retirement rules for New York City police officers by reducing the required service time for full retirement benefits from 22 years to 20 years. It specifically applies to members of the New York City Police Pension Fund, allowing them to retire with full benefits after 20 years of service instead of the previous 22-year requirement. The bill amends three sections of the retirement law to update definitions, benefits, and eligibility, ensuring NYC police officers can access normal retirement benefits at the 20-year mark. This is a direct policy change affecting NYC police officers' retirement timelines, with no broader application to other public safety workers.

Requires that a business allow a consumer to cancel a contract between the two parties using the same method that was used to enter into the contract; provides exemptions.

Ensures the decision to downcode an insurance claim is recognized as an adverse determination; prohibits health plans from reversing or altering medical necessity determinations made by a utilization review agent or external appeals agent as a result of an audit of claims.

Provides for a working families tax credit; directs quarterly prepayment of the credit; provides for a sliding reduction in the credit for incomes which exceed a certain threshold.

Maddy summaryS 685 creates an exception to existing prohibitions on fossil fuel use in new buildings. This bill allows new building projects to continue using fossil fuels if their site plan or subdivision plat received approval from a local planning board before December 31, 2025. The measure ensures that projects with initial approvals in place before this deadline are not subject to the upcoming fossil fuel ban.

Creates a computer science course requirement for graduation from high school; directs the department of education to design and implement such program.

Provides for the revocation of licenses to sell cigarettes, tobacco products, alcohol and lottery tickets for the possession or sale of illicit cannabis in violation of the cannabis law.

Maddy summaryS 2429 creates a New York state tax credit for employers who hire residents from targeted groups (like veterans, ex-offenders, or long-term unemployed individuals) as defined by federal law. Employers can claim up to $500 per eligible employee annually, with a total lifetime cap of $90 million and an annual limit of $30 million. The credit reduces state tax liability but cannot lower tax below minimum thresholds, and any unused credit is treated as an overpayment. The program applies to wages paid starting January 1, 2026, and expires December 31, 2028. It directly affects New York employers hiring from specified target populations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4831) changes how legal fees are handled for volunteer firefighters seeking benefits under New York's volunteer firefighter benefit law. It requires the board to consider a claimant's request to have the insurance company (not the firefighter) pay legal costs for claims filed under this law. If approved, attorneys are paid based on the board's standard fee schedule, proportional to the services provided. The law directly affects volunteer firefighters pursuing benefit claims and their insurance carriers, shifting the financial responsibility for legal representation.