Adds falsely reporting the use of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument as part of the crimes of falsely reporting an incident in the first and second degrees.
Relates to requiring the establishment of utility customer arrears reporting; requires utilities to report to the public service commission on customers who are in arrears.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the state constitution to require that elections for various municipal and judicial officials occur in even-numbered years rather than odd-numbered ones. The changes specifically affect judges in county courts, surrogate's courts, family courts, and district courts, as well as city and county officers, ensuring their terms end at the conclusion of an even-numbered year. To manage gaps between vacancies and the next election, the bill establishes temporary appointment rules where governors, mayors, or local supervisors can fill positions until the end of December following the upcoming even-year election. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that lieutenant-governors must be elected at the same time as governors and sets specific procedures for filling vacancies in both offices simultaneously.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates an optional twenty-five-year retirement plan specifically for uniformed court officers and peace officers working within New York's unified court system. Under the new provisions, eligible employees can retire after completing twenty-five years of service to receive a pension equal to half of their final average salary, funded by a combination of accumulated contributions and actuarial equivalents of reserved pay increases. The legislation also clarifies that service time from other law enforcement roles, such as state police or firefighters, can count toward this twenty-five-year requirement if the employee contributed to the relevant retirement system during that time. Additionally, the bill updates existing rules to ensure these court and peace officers are included in the list of personnel who may retire without regard to age, provided they meet the service requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates state transportation laws to ensure that buses serving people with disabilities are available within a three-mile radius of any fixed bus route. It mandates that new buses added to transit fleets must be accessible to individuals using wheelchairs or other mobility aids, with specific exceptions for temporary shortages and vehicles with a useful life of six years or less. The legislation applies to both the state transportation authority and its subsidiaries, as well as other transportation providers operating local fixed-route services. By requiring accessible vehicles in this expanded service area, the bill aims to improve mobility options for disabled passengers across a wider geographic range.
Maddy summaryThis bill removes the previous limit on how long a licensed physical therapist can treat a patient without a doctor's referral. It allows therapists to provide care directly to patients who do not have a referral from a physician, dentist, podiatrist, nurse practitioner, or midwife. Under the new rules, therapists must refer patients if symptoms suggest conditions outside their scope, maintain communication with the patient's primary care provider if one exists, and inform patients in writing that insurance may not cover the treatment without a referral. The law also requires therapists to keep a signed record of this notice in the patient's file.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new program to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities find and keep stable housing in New York State. It requires the state to develop a training curriculum for housing navigators and establish a task force made up of government officials and community experts to oversee the program's implementation. The navigators will assist individuals in creating personalized housing plans, applying for financial aid, and transitioning between living situations while ensuring they have access to necessary support services. Additionally, the legislation authorizes the health commissioner to seek federal waivers to fund these services and mandates that future state plans include updates on the program's progress and effectiveness.
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.
Maddy summaryThis bill grants Peter Guarino retroactive membership in the New York State Teachers' Retirement System, allowing him to count his time as a substitute teacher toward his retirement benefits. It specifically recognizes his employment starting on June 13, 2008, and assigns him Tier IV status within the system, provided he files an application within one year of the law's effective date. The legislation applies only to Guarino and does not change the retirement rules for any other employees.
Prohibits public employers from diminishing health insurance benefits provided to retirees and their dependents or the contributions such employer makes for such health insurance coverage below the level of such benefits or contributions made on behalf of such retirees and dependents by the public employer as of December 31, 2021.
