Sen. Lea Webb

Maddy summaryThis bill makes permanent a law that presumes certain lung disabilities in volunteer firefighters are work-related, without requiring them to prove a direct connection to their duties. It directly affects volunteer firefighters who develop specific lung conditions, streamlining their access to benefits. The key provision removes a temporary expiration date (previously set for June 2025), ensuring the presumption remains in effect indefinitely. This change simplifies the process for affected firefighters to receive benefits under the volunteer firefighters' benefit law.

Maddy summaryS 4799 creates a legal right for New Yorkers to sue fossil fuel companies that contributed to climate change through their activities. It applies to companies that emitted at least one billion metric tons of greenhouse gases from 1989 until the bill's effective date, excluding public utilities and government entities. The bill establishes new provisions in state law, including definitions and a "right of action," to enable lawsuits for climate-related damages like health impacts and property loss. This would allow individuals and communities to seek compensation for harms directly linked to fossil fuel emissions.

Establishes a statewide person-centered mental health services work group to improve statewide mental health planning and outcomes to achieve a person-centered, prevention-first integrated and tiered system of care for holistic health and wellness.

Enacts the "Velmanette Montgomery YouthBuild act"; sets program requirements; authorizes grants to eligible YouthBuild participants; establishes application requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill streamlines background checks for child care employees and volunteers. It requires the Department of Education to share fingerprint and criminal history results with the Office of Children and Family Services after an individual passes initial clearance under education law. It also allows the Division of Criminal Justice Services to send future criminal history updates directly to the Office of Children and Family Services. This affects prospective child care employees and volunteers who have completed initial background checks. The change improves coordination between state agencies handling these checks.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York real estate brokers and salespersons to complete two hours of sexual harassment prevention training every two years as part of their license renewal process. Specifically, licensees must complete one hour during each of the two consecutive 12-month periods before renewal, with training content meeting standards set in New York Labor Law. The requirement applies to all licensed professionals renewing their licenses and is separate from existing continuing education mandates. It directly affects licensed real estate professionals in New York who must affirm compliance when renewing their licenses. The training must be completed in two separate sessions within the two-year renewal cycle.

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 requires New York State to establish episodic payments (a payment system based on specific care episodes rather than per visit) as the standard method for reimbursing certified home health agencies starting October 1, 2025. It directly affects Medicaid managed care plans, child health insurance plans, and Essential Health Plans operating in New York by mandating they use this payment system and ensure access to home health services for enrolled members. The law requires the state commissioner to notify these plans annually about their responsibilities, emphasizing that home health services reduce avoidable hospital costs. Plans may still negotiate alternative payment rates with agencies, including value-based options tied to health outcomes.

Prohibits governmental entities from entering into agreements to house individuals in immigration detention facilities; requires governmental entities to terminate existing contracts for the detention of individuals in immigration detention facilities.

Establishes an unemployment bridge program and an unemployment bridge program fund to provide wage replacement to workers that do not qualify for unemployment insurance or other worker wage assistance programs and who have lost a major source of income due to lost work (Part A); establishes the "Digital Ad Tax Act (DATA)" creating a tax on digital advertising services (Part B).