Bill S 3815 amends New York's accidental death benefit rules for children of public safety employees. It allows children who were under age 25 when their parent (a police officer, firefighter, EMT, correction officer, or similar public safety worker) died accidentally to receive benefits until age 18 or 23 (whichever applies), instead of the previous cutoff of age 23. The key change extends the eligibility window for qualifying children by two years, ensuring those who turned 23 after their parent's death but were under 25 at the time of death can still receive benefits. This applies to children of members of specific public safety systems, including police departments, fire departments, and emergency medical services in New York City and surrounding areas.
This bill (S 6551) requires health insurance plans in New York to cover image-guided breast biopsies when recommended by a physician based on nationally recognized clinical guidelines. It directly affects patients seeking breast cancer screening and diagnosis, as well as insurance companies that must now include this specific procedure in mandatory coverage. The bill amends insurance law to explicitly add "image-guided breast biopsies" to the list of covered services alongside mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRI scans. Coverage applies only when the procedure aligns with evidence-based guidelines developed by independent medical organizations. The change takes effect January 1, 2026, for all new or renewed insurance policies.
This bill authorizes the town of Gardiner (in Ulster County) to impose a tax of up to 5% on hotel and motel room rentals for temporary stays (excluding guests staying 90+ consecutive days). It applies to all transient guests at hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts, and tourist facilities within Gardiner, but exempts government entities, nonprofit organizations, and permanent residents. The tax must be collected by the town's fiscal officer and deposited into Gardiner's general fund to support municipal services and infrastructure. The law includes specific collection procedures and a 2-year expiration date.
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.
This bill requires New York's civil service commission to collect and report annual data on the race and ethnicity of every person taking a state civil service exam. Starting in 2025, the commission must publish a public report by November 30th each year, detailing this data based on the previous state fiscal year. The report will be delivered to the governor, legislature, and posted online. It directly affects all state civil service exam applicants and ensures transparency in the demographic makeup of the civil service hiring pool.
Provides that for taxable years beginning on and after January first, two thousand twenty-six, a resident taxpayer who serves as an active volunteer firefighter or as a volunteer ambulance worker shall be allowed a credit against the tax imposed equal to eight hundred dollars; provides for a real property tax exemption under certain circumstances to an enrolled member of an incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department or incorporated voluntary ambulance service residing in such city, village, town, school district, special district, fire district or county.
Includes implants, replacement dental prosthetic appliances, crowns and root canals as medically necessary dental care and services for coverage under the Medicaid program if a qualified dentist authorizes the procedures.
This bill modifies New York's not-for-profit corporation law to increase transparency for organizations incorporated on behalf of government entities. It requires incorporators to disclose if a nonprofit is formed at the request of a municipal corporation, state authority, or district (Section 402, added paragraph 9). Corporations must also obtain consent from the Authorities Budget Office if their structure involves government officials in leadership roles (Section 404, added paragraph w). These changes apply specifically to local development corporations and similar entities, ensuring their governance aligns with public oversight requirements.
Authorizes, under certain circumstances, full-time college and university students to act as election inspectors and poll clerks in the election district where their college or university is located.
Requires the department of health examine heat-related deaths in the state of New York; requires the department to issue a report to the temporary president of the senate, speaker of the assembly and the governor.
This bill increases civil penalties for employers violating New York's child labor laws. Penalties rise to up to $3,000 for a first violation, $5,000 for a second, and $10,000 for third or subsequent violations. Crucially, if a minor is seriously injured (defined as permanent disability) or dies due to a violation, penalties triple to up to $30,000. The law directly affects employers who break child labor rules, with penalties paid to the state treasury.
This bill requires businesses that collect personal or family debts (like credit card or medical bills) to obtain a license from the state banking regulator before operating in New York. It sets minimum standards for debt collection practices, prohibits deceptive or abusive tactics, and establishes penalties for violations. The law directly affects debt collection agencies, debt buyers, and any business regularly collecting consumer debts within the state, while exempting certain entities like banks, attorneys, and nonprofits. Key provisions include mandatory licensing, background checks for owners, required surety bonds, and rules governing how collectors can communicate with debtors.
