Sen. Samra Brouk

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the state's school violence prevention grant program to specifically fund anti-violence education initiatives. It allows schools to receive money for programs that provide trauma support, counseling, and education for students affected by gun violence, as long as these programs are run by nonprofit organizations and exclude any firearm training. To qualify, the funded programs must set clear goals, outline a timeline, and use specific methods to measure progress in reducing violence. The legislation also broadens the list of eligible safety activities to include safe corridors, diversity programs, and collaborative efforts with law enforcement or community groups.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes local election boards to set up secure drop boxes where voters can return their completed absentee ballots in person. The law requires these boards to post the locations of the drop boxes on their websites and gives the state board the power to create rules ensuring the boxes are secure and properly managed. Additionally, the bill clarifies that ballots deposited in these boxes before the close of polls on election day are considered timely, even if they lack a postal service postmark. This change aims to provide another convenient method for voters to submit their ballots while maintaining specific security and timing standards.

Directs the commissioner of health to do a comprehensive assessment of the existing methodology used to determine payment for early intervention screenings, evaluations, services and service coordination; directs recommendations on reimbursement methodology as well as needs under the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows physician assistants to officially serve as primary care practitioners within Medicaid managed care plans. By amending state social services law, it expands the list of qualified medical providers that managed care organizations must include when arranging access to care for participants. The legislation updates legal definitions to explicitly recognize physician assistants alongside physicians and nurse practitioners for these specific roles. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the governor and did not become law.

Establishes the rural suicide prevention council to identify barriers to mental health and substance use treatment and prevention services and other policies, practices, resources, services, and potential legislation that aim to reduce death by suicide and suicide attempts and acknowledge the demographic and cultural differences in rural communities; makes related provisions.

Deems Anthony Varvaro to have died as the natural and proximate result of an accident sustained in the performance of duty so as to permit accidental death benefits to be awarded to his beneficiaries.

Provides for a working families tax credit; directs quarterly prepayment of the credit; provides for a sliding reduction in the credit for incomes which exceed a certain threshold.

Establishes the New York child data protection act to protect minors from having their personal data accessed; provides exceptions in certain circumstances.

Requires the modification of restrictive covenants prior to the sale of real property when covenants, conditions and restrictions exist which discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, familial status, marital status, disability, national origin, source of income or ancestry.

Requires the department of health to develop and maternal health care providers to distribute written information about episiotomy to maternity patients.