Sen. Peter Oberacker

Establishes a tax credit for employment of an individual who has successfully completed a judicial diversion substance abuse treatment program or graduated from drug court.

Establishes the school mental health services program coordinator to provide qualifying public and nonpublic schools with mental health services professionals.

Maddy summaryThis bill criminalizes the sale, use, or possession of synthetic drugs (like "bath salts," "spice," or "synthetic marijuana") without a valid prescription. It broadly defines "synthetic drugs" to cover multiple chemical categories - including synthetic cannabinoids, cathinones, and related compounds - plus any structural analogs. The only exception is if a licensed physician prescribed the drug and the person can provide written proof to law enforcement. Each violation is treated as a separate offense, directly affecting individuals using these products without medical authorization.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits anyone under 21 from purchasing or possessing kratom products. Businesses selling kratom must verify customers' ages using government-issued ID (like driver's licenses or passports), display a clear sign stating the age ban, and use an ID scanning system to confirm identity - without sharing scanned data with third parties. The health commissioner is also required to study kratom's health risks and benefits, reporting findings within one year. These rules directly affect underage buyers, kratom retailers, and enforcement agencies.

Creates a tax credit for small businesses that sell a certain percentage of products produced in New York state; provides such small businesses include independently or privately-owned cafes, restaurants, eateries, bars, pubs, breweries, distilleries, orchards, food trucks, retail stores, farm stands, hotels, or motels.

Requires the commissioner of education, in conjunction with the commissioner of health and the commissioner of mental health, to develop model mental health screenings for students and associated guidelines to assist school mental health screeners to perform mental health screening services to identify concerns in students' mental health.

Maddy summaryBill S 1189 establishes new licensure requirements for entities providing fiscal intermediary services for personal assistance programs. Beginning April 1, 2027, these fiscal intermediaries must obtain a license from the commissioner, a process that includes an application fee and an assessment of their character, competence, and compliance. The bill also broadens the definition of fiscal intermediaries, modifies their annual reporting obligations, and creates a confidential state registry for personal assistants that these intermediaries must maintain. This legislation directly affects fiscal intermediaries, personal assistants, and consumers utilizing these services.

Permits a school food authority to attribute moneys spent on purchases of food products from New York state farmers, growers, producers or processors made for its school breakfast program to the thirty percent of costs for school breakfast, snack and lunch service programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $750 annual income tax credit for retired police officers in the state who retired due to disability. It applies to resident taxpayers whose disability retirement occurred while serving as a police officer. The credit reduces taxable income starting in 2026, with any excess credit treated as a refundable overpayment (no interest paid). The provision directly benefits eligible retired disabled officers by lowering their state tax burden.

Repeals provisions of law prohibiting the possession of certain large capacity ammunition feeding devices and the exemption of certain ammunition feeding devices at firing ranges.