Sen. Samra Brouk

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New York's Commissioner of Health to create a special health insurance program under the federal 1332 state innovation program, allowing the state to offer coverage to specific individuals who currently do not qualify for standard plans. The program is designed for New York residents under age 65 who are ineligible for Medicaid, lack affordable employer-sponsored insurance, and have household incomes between 133% and 250% of the federal poverty line, with additional provisions for certain noncitizens and pregnant individuals. Key features include the requirement that approved health plans cover essential benefits, dental and vision services, and specific cancer care, while also providing temporary income protections for children and pregnant people. The legislation mandates that the state obtain necessary federal approvals from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Treasury Department before implementing the plan.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York State's anti-discrimination laws to explicitly protect individuals from discrimination based on their religious clothing or facial hair. It directly affects owners, managers, and employees of public places such as businesses, resorts, and amusement venues. Under the new rules, it becomes illegal for these entities to refuse service, deny access, or display advertisements that discourage people from wearing religious attire or growing religious facial hair. The change ensures that existing protections against discrimination based on religion now specifically cover these physical expressions of faith.

Creates statewide emergency and crisis response council to work in conjunction with the commissioners of mental health and addiction services to jointly approve emergency and crisis services plans submitted by local governments, and provide supports regarding the operation and financing of high-quality emergency and crisis services provided to persons experiencing a mental health, alcohol use, or substance use crisis.

Relates to preserving access to affordable drugs; provides that an agreement resolving or settling, on a final or interim basis, a patent infringement claim, in connection with the sale of a pharmaceutical product, shall be presumed to have anticompetitive effects if a nonreference drug filer receives anything of value from another company asserting patent infringement and if the nonreference drug filer agrees to limit or forego research, development, manufacturing, marketing, or sales of the nonreference drug filer's product for any period of time.

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.

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.

Directs the commissioner of labor to create and distribute to employers written materials regarding mental health services and resources available to employees to be posted in the workplace; directs voluntary guidance for employers to put in place strategies and programs to support the mental health and wellness of their employees; provides that such guidance be in written and digital resources and in English or translated to an additional primary language or languages as applicable.

Provides "WiFi service" internet access to all individuals residing in temporary housing; relates to funding for internet service under the ConnectAll digital equity grant program.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a nonpartisan poll monitoring program that allows civic organizations and ballot issue committees to appoint up to two monitors per polling place. To participate, these groups must submit an application to the state board of elections at least 32 days before an election, providing proof of their nonpartisan purpose, training materials, and a volunteer pledge. The board will review and approve or deny these requests within a specific timeframe, with an appeal process available for denials. Approved monitors must wear official badges and credentials issued by the relevant election board while observing voters' rights and election procedures.

Permits a retired member to change his or her option election or designate a new beneficiary where the beneficiary has been convicted of a family offense.