Sen. Jeremy Cooney

Maddy summaryThis bill removes specific restrictions on who can receive personal and home care services under Medicaid in New York. It repeals a rule that previously required individuals to need assistance with more than two daily activities or, for those with dementia, supervision with more than one daily activity to qualify. The change allows people with fewer daily living challenges to become eligible for these services if a physician determines they are cost-effective and appropriate. Additionally, the bill clarifies that individuals must be able to make their own choices about the type of care they receive or have a designated representative do so. These updates take effect immediately upon becoming law.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the minimum daily pay for temporary court interpreters from $25 to $110 and requires town and village courts to share the cost of these fees. It directly affects judges, court clerks, and the interpreters who provide language services in New York courts. Under the new rules, the county covers the base payment, while any amount exceeding $110 per day is paid by the local town or village where the court sits. The legislation also clarifies that temporary interpreters must file an oath of office before working and ensures that deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals, witnesses, and victims receive interpretation services in legal proceedings.

Provides that a dental hygienist shall not administer local block anesthesia without a certificate and except under the personal supervision of a dentist and in conjunction with the performance of dental hygiene procedures authorized by law and in accordance with regulations promulgated by the commissioner.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's workers' compensation law to increase short-term disability and family leave benefits for eligible employees. It establishes a schedule for raising the weekly benefit amount from 50% to 67% of an employee's average weekly wage over several years, while also increasing the maximum duration of leave from eight to twelve weeks. The legislation defines specific conditions for family leave, including care for a seriously ill relative, bonding with a new child, and military exigencies, and ensures that employees retain their health insurance coverage and job positions during approved leave. Additionally, the bill prohibits retaliation against workers for taking such leave and clarifies that accrued benefits are not lost, though seniority does not accrue during the leave period.

Establishes the clean fuel standard of 2024; provides such standard is intended to reduce greenhouse gas intensity from the on-road transportation sector, with further reductions to be implemented based upon advances in technology.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits child care assistance programs from requiring parents or caretakers to earn a minimum wage to qualify for support. By removing this earnings threshold, the legislation allows eligible families to receive child care aid regardless of their specific income level. The change applies immediately to parents and caretakers who meet other standard eligibility criteria for assistance.

Provides that the superintendent of financial services shall establish standards for hurricane windstorm deductibles, creating uniformity in the operation of such deductibles with respect to the triggering event.

Relates to the statewide presumptive eligibility standard; authorizes local social services districts to utilize child care block grant funds for the presumptive eligibility period.

Prevents the displacement of call center workers who provide call center services for the government in certain circumstances; provides protections for call center workers when contracts with call center contractors are terminated; requires new call center contractors to hire existing call center workers; protects collective bargaining agreements.

Requires that health insurance policies shall provide coverage for follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer; provides that no patient cost sharing shall be imposed for follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer.