Sen. Pam Helming

Maddy summaryThis New York State Senate resolution commends Wade Peck for receiving a Liberty Medal, the highest individual honor bestowed by the body. The award recognizes his courageous actions in August 2026 when he stopped to help a family whose home was threatened by a spreading vehicle fire in Farmington. Utilizing his experience as a former volunteer firefighter, Peck used a garden hose and directed the residents to use fire extinguishers to slow the blaze until professional emergency crews arrived. The resolution notes that all occupants evacuated safely without injury and directs that an official copy of the commendation be sent to Mr. Peck.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific segment of State Route 63 in Dansville, Livingston County, as a ceremonial tribute to Clara H. Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross. The legislation requires the installation of signs identifying the road as "Highway Dedicated to American Red Cross Founder Clara H Barton" while explicitly stating that the official name of the highway will not change. The affected portion of the road runs from Zerfass Road to Hubbard Lane, and the Transportation Commissioner is tasked with maintaining the signage. This measure is intended as a commemorative gesture rather than a functional change to the highway system.

Maddy summaryJoycelynn's Law creates two new criminal offenses to address severe cases of child endangerment by parents or guardians. The first offense, aggravated endangering the welfare of a child, applies when an adult with criminal negligence causes serious harm or significant risk to a minor under seventeen, such as through failure to provide basic needs or excessive punishment. The second offense, aggravated endangering the welfare of a child resulting in death, is charged when the initial negligent act leads to the death of the child. Both charges are classified as felonies, with the death-related charge being the most severe, and the law clarifies that these new charges do not prevent prosecutors from using other existing charges if the circumstances warrant them.

Requires public schools to follow seizure action plans developed by health care providers of students diagnosed with a seizure disorder; requires schools to provide seizure awareness training to certain employees on the recognition of signs and symptoms of a seizure and the appropriate steps to be taken to respond to such symptoms.

Relates to the purpose of the Macedon Center Volunteer and Exempt Firefighter's Benevolent Association, Inc., and the use of foreign fire insurance premium taxes.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Christine Hasseler, a former New York state teacher who retired in 2004, to recalculate her retirement benefits to include missed retirement incentive payments. It specifically allows her benefits to be adjusted to reflect those payments retroactively from her retirement date, without penalizing her for missing the deadline due to reasons beyond her control. The state employers will cover all costs associated with this adjustment. The bill directly affects only Christine Hasseler, as it applies to her specific case under the teachers' retirement system.

Maddy summaryS 1181 creates a temporary 11-member task force to examine why New York City disability retirees are excluded from the Variable Supplements Fund (VSF) program, which provides retirement benefit supplements to police and fire retirees. The task force will investigate this eligibility issue, hold public hearings, and issue recommendations within one year. It includes appointments from the governor, legislature leaders, city officials, and representatives of affected retirees. The bill does not change the VSF program directly but mandates a formal review to address longstanding concerns about fairness for disability retirees.

Authorizes the village of Sodus Point, in the town of Sodus, county of Wayne to allow golf carts on certain streets under the exclusive control and jurisdiction of such village.

Provides for insurance coverage of comprehensive annual medical examinations for firefighters due to their increased risk for cancer and cancer-related diseases.

Requires the court to consider a child's health and safety when making a decision regarding child custody and visitation; directs the court to review certain information as it relates to allegations of child abuse, domestic violence and child safety.