Sen. Pam Helming

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that formally congratulates the Elmont High School Boys Basketball Team and their coach for winning the 2024 NYSPHSAA Basketball Class AA Championship. The document recognizes the team's achievement of securing their first state title since 2016 and lists the specific names of the players and the coach being honored. It serves as an official record of legislative appreciation for the team's success and is intended to be sent to the school for their records.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally commends The Dad Gang and its nonprofit arm, Random Acts of Dadness, for organizing the Annual March of Dads. The bill recognizes the group's efforts to challenge negative stereotypes about Black fathers and foster a supportive community among Black men globally. It specifically highlights the organization's upcoming events in Los Angeles, the Bronx, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, as well as its history of promoting positive fatherhood role models. The resolution concludes by directing that a copy of the text be sent to the organization as an official acknowledgment of their work.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that formally commends the Broome County Office for Aging on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. It recognizes the organization's long history of providing services such as meals, transportation, and assistance to older adults in the county. The resolution highlights the growth of the office's programs since its establishment in 1974 and acknowledges the dedication of its staff and volunteers. No new laws or funding are created by this measure; it serves solely as an official expression of appreciation from the state legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that formally recognizes the 40th anniversary of the Southern Tier AIDS Program (STAP). It honors the organization's history of providing HIV/AIDS support, healthcare navigation, housing assistance, and opioid overdose prevention services to the Broome County region. The resolution expresses the state's appreciation for STAP's contributions to community health and well-being over the past four decades. No new laws or funding are created; the measure simply directs the legislature to pause and acknowledge the organization's achievements.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the First Responder Peer Support Program Act to provide mental health resources for first responders, including firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical personnel. It establishes a statewide grant program that eligible entities can use to fund peer-to-peer support initiatives, ensuring volunteers receive training on trauma, suicide prevention, and coping mechanisms. The program sets specific standards for training and administrative staffing while explicitly protecting the privacy of individuals seeking help by prohibiting the collection of personal identifying information. Funding for these grants is subject to future legislative appropriation, and the law will take effect approximately seven months after passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution honoring the life and legacy of Pastor Constance Marie Hulla, a religious leader and community figure from Coney Island who passed away in May 2024. The measure formally recognizes her contributions to her community, her role in promoting peace, and her dedication to serving those in need. It directs the legislative body to pause its proceedings to express condolences to her family and authorizes the transmission of a copy of the resolution to them.

Enacts the feathered lives also count act directing the commissioner of general services to incorporate practices and strategies to reduce bird fatality resulting from collisions with certain state-owned or state-leased buildings, and for other purposes; requires the commissioner to develop a design guide that includes features, methods and strategies, and best practices for reducing bird fatalities; requires the commissioner to report to the governor and the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the New York State Department of Health to conduct a study on how to better integrate doulas into hospitals and birthing centers. The study will evaluate current practices, identify successful programs, and gather input from doula-led organizations to understand how doulas are currently included or excluded in healthcare settings. Based on its findings, the department must provide recommendations for creating specific criteria that define "doula-friendly" spaces, including guidelines for visitor status, presence in birthing rooms, and data collection methods. The final report, containing these findings and suggestions, is required to be submitted to state leaders by December 31, 2025.

Provides for the licensure of school psychology practitioners; authorizes the use of the title "licensed school psychology practitioner" to licensed or exempt individuals; defines practice of licensed school psychology practitioners; sets forth requirements for professional licensure (including educational attainment, experience, exam and fee); provides for issuance of limited permits under specified circumstances; identifies exempt persons.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the legal requirement that a veteran must have served during a declared war to qualify for certain state benefits and protections. By amending the definition of "veteran" in the Social Services Law, the legislation expands eligibility to include service members who served in specific conflicts such as Lebanon, Grenada, and Panama, as well as those with qualifying medical conditions or LGBT status regardless of discharge type. The changes apply to state and local veterans' service agencies, which will now assist a broader range of individuals in accessing educational, medical, employment, and other support services. Ultimately, the bill ensures that these benefits are available based on service and specific circumstances rather than strictly on wartime participation.