Sen. Samra Brouk

Maddy summaryThis bill asks Governor Kathy Hochul to officially designate April 2026 as Arab American Heritage Month in New York State. The resolution highlights the historical contributions and cultural significance of Arab Americans within the state, noting that New York is home to over 300,000 individuals from diverse Arab backgrounds. By directing copies of the resolution to the governor and several advocacy organizations, the measure seeks to raise public awareness and promote recognition of this community's heritage.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state-chartered banks from investing in or providing financing for private prisons. It directly affects state-chartered banking institutions by banning financial support for entities owning or operating private correctional facilities. The key provision (Section 12 of the banking law) explicitly forbids banks from funding or purchasing securities related to such facilities, aligning with existing state restrictions on private prisons under Correction Law §121. The law applies immediately to all new or modified financial contracts after its effective date.

Requires manufactured home park owners to provide a written justification for rent increases in excess of three percent of the current rent; provides that increases in costs to justify such rent increase for ordinary maintenance or repair to meet the warranty of habitability obligations must be shown to be necessary.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands telehealth healthcare coverage by requiring insurers and government programs to reimburse telehealth services at the same rate as in-person visits, with specific exceptions. It ensures telehealth providers are paid equally for most services, though they won't be reimbursed for facility costs (like clinic fees) that weren't incurred during virtual visits. Mental health services delivered via telehealth - covered under specific mental hygiene laws - must receive full in-person reimbursement rates unless a commissioner deems them inappropriate. New telehealth modalities, provider types, or locations require federal funding approval. The bill aims to make telehealth financially equivalent to in-person care for most covered services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state medical assistance programs to cover medically tailored meals and medical nutrition therapy for people with chronic conditions. It directly affects individuals with limited daily living abilities who need specialized nutrition to manage illnesses like diabetes or heart disease, as ordered by healthcare providers. The law mandates coverage for nutritional assessments, counseling, and prescribed meals provided by certified dietitians or nutritionists. Implementation requires the health commissioner to adopt regulations within 180 days of the bill's enactment, with federal funding participation required for these services.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 5538) automatically qualifies children with elevated blood lead levels (5 mcg/dl or higher in venous blood tests) for early intervention services under New York's public health law. It amends the definition of "disability" to include such lead exposure, ensuring these children receive support without additional screening or evaluation. The key mechanism adds lead levels to the list of conditions that trigger automatic eligibility for services like therapy or developmental support. This change directly affects young children diagnosed with lead exposure, streamlining access to critical early care.

Establishes a 14 member doula Medicaid reimbursement work group within the department of health to set reimbursement rates for doulas in the state Medicaid program and address other criteria related to their practice; requires the work group to conduct a study and evaluate the costs, benefits and issues that may be associated with Medicaid reimbursement for doulas and for providing doula care to Medicaid recipients; makes related provisions.

Relates to parole eligibility for certain incarcerated persons age fifty-five or older if they have served at least fifteen years of their sentence or sentences.

Enacts the "Empowering People in Rights Enforcement (EMPIRE) Worker Protection Act"; relates to the delegation of state enforcement authority to private actors; authorizes an affected employee, whistleblower, representative organization or an organizational deputy to initiate a public enforcement action on behalf of the commissioner for certain provisions of the labor law, or any regulation promulgated thereunder.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the validity period of child care provider licenses from four years to six years for both day care centers and group family day care programs. The change applies to facilities caring for seven or more children and requires providers to maintain substantial compliance with applicable laws and regulations throughout the license period. The new six-year term will take effect one year after the bill becomes law, reducing the frequency of renewal requirements for licensed providers.