Establishes a high school robotics grant program; provides funding to high schools for participation in robotics competitions; sets forth eligibility requirements; provides for the application and awards process.
Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New York SNAP (food stamp) recipients to use their benefits to purchase menstrual products like tampons, sanitary napkins, and panty liners. It requires the state to apply for a federal waiver or authorization within 90 days to make this change, as current federal rules currently restrict SNAP use to food items. The policy directly affects low-income New Yorkers who rely on SNAP benefits for basic needs. The change would take effect only after federal approval is secured.
Relates to accessibility requirements in certain procurement contracts; requires contracts that include information and communication technologies (ICTs) are accessible to people with disabilities; requires that the ability of a prospective contractor to meet such requirement be considered in making the contract award.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4160) requires state correctional facilities to provide free voice communication services (like phone calls) to incarcerated individuals, with no cost to the person initiating or receiving the call. It prohibits state agencies from charging fees or generating revenue from these communication services and mandates that in-person visit programs remain available - digital services cannot replace them. The law repeals an existing correction law section and takes effect April 1, 2026, applying to new or renewed communication contracts after that date. It directly affects incarcerated people in state prisons and youth detention centers by guaranteeing free access to basic voice communication.
Enacts "Jesse's law" to provide that a person subject to involuntary emergency admission for immediate observation, care, and treatment of mental illness shall have the right to select the hospital they are admitted to.
Provides the amount of compensation an attorney shall receive from representing a client which was assigned to the attorney through the bar association; makes related provisions.
Authorizes the commissioner of mental health to establish up to three, three-year pilot programs in community behavioral health organizations for the purposes of creating social worker pilot programs to support the ongoing retention and recruitment of licensed clinical social workers.
Clarifies that the New York state health insurance program remains subject to certain provisions of the financial services law and coverage for usual and customary costs for out-of-network health care service.
Maddy summaryThis bill, S 7282 ("No Slavery in New York Act"), prohibits involuntary servitude and forced labor for all incarcerated individuals in New York State correctional facilities, including those convicted of crimes. It amends the Civil Rights Law to explicitly ban slavery, involuntary servitude, and forced labor in the state, and adds a new provision to the Correction Law banning any labor compelled by force, adverse actions, or threats. The law takes effect immediately and directly affects all people incarcerated in state and local correctional facilities across New York.
Imposes an excise tax on any taxpayer engaged in the trade or business of digital asset mining; provides that taxes, interest, and penalties collected or received from such taxes shall be used for prompt assistance to utility customers enrolled in energy affordability programs.
