Sen. Peter Oberacker

Maddy summaryThis bill makes criminal possession of fentanyl a class E felony under New York law. It directly affects individuals who knowingly possess, manufacture, distribute, or use fentanyl or its analogs to enhance other illegal substances. The key provision defines these actions as a specific felony offense, raising the legal consequences for such possession. The bill was referred to the Codes committee on January 15, 2025, and takes immediate effect.

Maddy summarySenate Bill S 7954 amends the requirements for organizations providing fiscal intermediary services in the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program. It expands the definition of "fiscal intermediary" to include more entities, such as certain service centers for independent living, granting them equal status to the statewide fiscal intermediary. These newly defined fiscal intermediaries can contract directly with managed care plans and must provide culturally and linguistically competent services. The bill also removes the specific procurement process for a single statewide fiscal intermediary, aiming to offer consumers more choice in these services.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides free access to New York State parks and campsites for volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance service members. Specifically, it exempts these individuals from park fees when using public campsites, parks, or recreational areas, applying the same terms as the general public but without payment. The provision covers active volunteer firefighters (as defined in Section 215 of the General Municipal Law) and enrolled members of volunteer ambulance services (under Article 30 of the Public Health Law). It amends existing law to ensure these groups receive the same fee-free access already available to veterans, Gold Star families, and people with disabilities. The policy applies statewide across all relevant recreational facilities.

Designates certain offenses against emergency medical services personnel, firefighters, and law enforcement officers as hate crimes; includes the definition of emergency medical services personnel, firefighters, and law enforcement officers.

Requires the commissioner of education of the state of New York to conduct a study on the sufficiency of current education aid apportionment formulas, make recommendations for improvements to such formulas and deliver a report of such findings and recommendations and provides for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof.

Relates to requiring coverage for volunteer firefighters for full cancer screenings upon entry of service to a fire department or fire company and annually thereafter; provides that the costs of such screenings shall be covered by the state.

Requires the department of economic development, job development authority, and urban development corporation to provide preferences to small businesses and entrepreneurs in the administration of their economic development assistance programs; requires annual reports thereon.

Authorizes school districts to submit an opt-out waiver to the commissioner of education authorizing such districts to opt-out of certain zero-emission school bus requirements.

Requires that notice be provided to any officer or employee of the department of corrections and community supervision whose personal information is the subject of a subpoena duces tecum.

Relates to the regulation of social media companies and social media platforms; provides for age requirements for the use of social media and parental consent; prohibits certain data collection from social media accounts; limits the hours a minor can have access to social media; establishes penalties for violations.