Rep. Nikki Lucas

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 6341) requires New York state agencies, boards, departments, and commissions to collect more detailed demographic data about Black/African American communities, moving beyond the current single "Black/African American" category. It mandates collecting specific ethnic group data (e.g., Nigerian, Haitian, Jamaican) and making this information publicly accessible to better reflect the diversity within this population. The goal is to help regional governments and officials design targeted programs addressing unique social, educational, health, and economic needs. The bill aligns with updated federal standards (effective 2029) that require disaggregating the "Black or African American" category into more specific ethnic groups.

Provides parity to durable medical equipment providers by requiring Medicaid managed care organizations to reimburse such providers at no less than one hundred percent of the medical assistance durable medical equipment fee schedule for the same service or item.

Provides for the protection of health information; establishes requirements for communications to individuals about their health information; requires either written consent or a designated necessary purpose for the processing of an individual's health information.

Prohibits the use of restraints on and the use of force against incarcerated individuals during labor and incarcerated individuals who have experienced different pregnancy outcomes, absent extraordinary circumstances, and on pregnant and post-pregnancy persons during a custodial interrogation; provides for certain exceptions for restraints to be used and in such case limits the use to wrist restraints.

Requires that any penalties for violations of housing standards or building and fire codes be assessed and imposed within fourteen days; increases certain fine amounts for violations of housing standards.

Enacts the "school security guard training enhancement act"; provides that annual training where a security guard is employed or contracted by a school in this state shall require the completion of school specific-training.

Requires the office of victim services to publicize programs offered by the office and to include certain information in annual reports to the governor and the legislature and to make such reports public on the office's website.

Requires signage be placed alongside art and artifacts, including art and artifacts created using metal materials used in the exchange for enslaved human captives, which were stolen during the transatlantic slave period and the domestic slave trade period, between the 16th and 19th centuries, with its peak between 1700 and 1870, indicating such information.

Relates to the contents of emergency response plans required to be submitted to the public service commission by electric corporations; requires such plans to include details of staffing, equipment, and ability to perform toward certain standards; requires the public service commission to establish a time-based restoration schedule.

Requires a pharmacy benefit manager to pay a participating pharmacy at minimum at the national average drug acquisition cost (NADAC) rate, or at the pharmacy acquisition cost rate if greater or there is not a NADAC rate, plus a professional dispensing fee that is at minimum the professional dispensing fee paid under the state medical assistance program.