Sen. Samra Brouk

Requires the commissioner of education to develop guidelines to encourage those in high school to participate in apprenticeships and to raise awareness in apprenticeship opportunities.

Prohibits employers from using the federal electronic employment verification system to check the employment authorization status of an existing employee or an applicant who has not been offered employment and prohibits municipalities from requiring employers to use the federal electronic employment verification system.

Amends provisions relating to public campaign financing; changes certain thresholds and procedures; permits retention of matching funds for future use; specifies when a candidate is opposed by a competitive candidate; requires a disclosure on political communications.

Maddy summaryS 7377 establishes a framework for creating and operating mental health clubhouses across New York State. These clubhouses provide free, community-based support for people with serious mental illness, offering services like job training, housing assistance, and social activities through a non-clinical therapeutic environment. The bill requires clubhouses to be accredited, near public transportation (with virtual options for rural areas), and submit biennial reports on membership, employment, housing, and crisis support to the Office of Mental Health. The Office of Mental Health must develop a statewide implementation plan within one year to guide accreditation and compliance.

Provides that licensed pharmacists may administer certain vaccines where a non-patient specific order exists or immunizations are authorized by the commissioner of health and are recommended for use by the New York state immunization advisory council or are identified by the department of health as necessary to address public health emergencies, outbreaks, or chronic disease prevention.

Establishes a state SNAP minimum benefit program to provide a minimum amount of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits that is higher than the amount of federal SNAP benefits.

Relates to the execution of a warrant of arrest; authorizes the commissioner of the division of criminal justice services to establish a system to record and monitor the issuance and execution of search warrants; authorizes the chief administrator of the court system to establish educational programs for judicial personnel on the law of searches, arrests and seizures.

Provides alternate education and experience requirements for mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and psychoanalysts licensed prior to 06/24/2027, to be issued privilege to diagnose and develop assessment-based treatment plans; removes fees for application for such diagnostic privileges.

Maddy summaryThis bill raises the price thresholds at which food and drink sold in vending machines become subject to certain taxes. It increases the current limits from $1.50 (for coin-only machines) and $2.00 (for other payment methods) to $3.00 and $3.50, respectively. Vending machine operators selling qualifying items below these new prices will remain exempt from the tax. The change applies temporarily until May 31, 2026, and directly affects businesses operating vending machines. The policy alters the tax exemption rules for small-value snacks and beverages sold through vending.

Relates to establishing the housing access voucher program; provides that the commissioner of the division of housing and community renewal shall implement a program of rental assistance in the form of housing vouchers for eligible individuals and families who are homeless or who face an imminent loss of housing; provides that the commissioner shall designate housing access voucher local administrators in the state to administer the program.