Sen. Andrew Gounardes

Enacts the "fostering optimal classroom use of screens (FOCUS) act" to limit use of internet enabled and electronic devices and prioritize non-digital teaching methods; prohibits use by younger students; limits and restricts certain uses by older students; requires written policies for opting in for the school issued devices; prohibits social media applications, gaming and AI in school issued devices; requires registration by educational technology providers.

Provides that each school district, charter school, and board of cooperative educational services shall adopt and implement a written policy governing the use of humanoid robots in schools and that such policy shall prohibit the use of an artificial intelligence-enabled humanoid robot in an instructional capacity; defines terms.

Relates to reporting of certain independent expenditures and penalties for failing to report such expenditures; includes certain communications which use language or imagery substantially associated with a candidate's campaign, platform, background, or publicly stated positions, such that a reasonable viewer would understand the communication as designed to influence the outcome of such general, special, or primary election in the definition of independent expenditure.

Prohibits a board of elections employee or election commissioner from being employed by or controlling any political action committee that is organized for the purpose of any election administered by the board at which such employee is employed or which such commissioner oversees.

Maddy summaryS 8902 amends New York's social services law to ensure that medical assistance recipients (such as Medicaid beneficiaries) cannot access school-based health center services through managed care programs until at least April 1, 2026. The bill adds a specific provision requiring these services to be provided outside of managed care arrangements during that period. This directly affects medical assistance recipients who use school-based health centers and the managed care organizations that coordinate their care. The law takes effect immediately, but the amendment expires when the underlying section of the law is repealed.

Prohibits artificial intelligence companions from using features which are considered unsafe for minors; defines terms; specifies what are considered unsafe features.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program to compensate New Yorkers who lost Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or cash assistance benefits due to fraud or theft. It requires the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to set up a multilingual application process (including top 10 non-English languages in NY) and partners with the Inspector General and Attorney General to verify fraud claims. A dedicated $1.5 million fund, kept separate from other state funds, will cover compensation payments. The bill also specifies that the fund will be financed through state appropriations and may receive additional money from civil penalties related to SNAP fraud.

Requires that sales tax exempt precious metal bullion shall be purchased by a bank, a foreign government, the U.N. or the state, federal or local government.

Requires distribution centers which are 50,000 sq. ft. or more to be equipped with electric vehicle charging stations as determined by the secretary of state and NYSERDA.

Enacts the "packaging reduction and recycling infrastructure act" to require companies selling, offering for sale, or distributing packaging materials and products to register with a packaging reduction organization to develop a packaging reduction and recycling plan; makes related provisions.