Sen. Pam Helming

Establishes the homeowner protection program; provides that the department of law shall establish the homeowner protection program to ensure the availability of free housing counseling and legal services to homeowners for the purposes of mitigating threats to homeownership; provides that the department of law shall provide grants to eligible not-for-profit housing counseling organizations and legal services organizations to provide services under the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a licensing system for two specific professions: orientation and mobility specialists (who help visually impaired people navigate safely) and vision rehabilitation therapists (who provide training for daily living skills). It defines these roles, sets education and training requirements for licenses, and creates a state board with representation from both professionals and the visually impaired community. Only licensed individuals may use these titles or provide these services, and the law explicitly states these specialists cannot prescribe optical devices. The bill directly affects visually impaired residents (including those legally blind or partially sighted) who seek these services and the professionals working in this field.

Establishes a co-shelter toolkit of best practices, resources, case studies and other information deemed helpful to inform and encourage the implementation and sustenance of co-shelter models for victims of domestic violence and people experiencing homelessness with companion animals; makes related provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill dedicates a specific section of State Route 245 in Gorham, Ontario County, to the Gorham Pageant of Bands. The affected highway segment runs from County Road 18 to Goose Street and will feature signage identifying it as dedicated to the pageant. While the dedication is ceremonial, the official name of the highway will remain unchanged to prevent confusion and maintain commercial continuity. The commissioner of transportation is authorized to install and maintain appropriate signage reflecting this dedication.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a stakeholder group to coordinate water releases in the Oswego river basin. The group, formed within six months, must include entities controlling flood discharges (like water management authorities), community groups, environmental experts, and the Department of Environmental Conservation. It will review flood storage methods and watershed releases during high flow events, then recommend a regulatory structure to the governor and legislative leaders within six months. Options include continuing the group, creating a legislative mandate, or establishing a new water-regulating district. The bill focuses on improving communication and coordination during high-water events to manage flood risks.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates a state study to examine how hospitals and birthing centers integrate doula care into maternal health services. It requires the health department to identify existing "doula-friendly" facilities, analyze successful programs in New York and other states, and develop recommendations for standardized practices - such as visitor status for doulas, inclusion in birth processes, and data collection. The study will report findings and best practices to the governor and legislature by December 2027. This bill directly affects healthcare facilities, doulas, and maternal health systems by laying groundwork for potential future policy changes, but does not create new laws or funding.

Provides for adult changing tables to be placed within an enclosed restroom facility or other similar private facility that is for use by persons with disabilities who need help with diapering at commercial places of public amusement and state-owned buildings open to the public.

Relates to distinctive license plates issued to gold star mothers; permits gold star mothers to retain one keepsake plate as a commemorative item after distinctive plates are surrendered.

Provides that court records in a proceeding under articles 77, 78 and 81 of the mental hygiene law shall not be perused, examined, disclosed, taken or copied by any other person than a party, the attorney or counsel of a party, the guardian, the court evaluator or the court examiner except by order of the court, or the office of the attorney general.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New York's "First Responder Peer Support Program Act," creating a statewide grant program to fund peer-to-peer mental health support for first responders. It directly affects firefighters, police officers, EMTs, 911 operators, emergency dispatchers, coroners, and other emergency personnel by providing grants to local entities for trauma-informed training and mental health services. Key provisions include mandatory evidence-based training on suicide prevention and resilience, strict confidentiality rules prohibiting disclosure of personal information, and annual reporting requirements that exclude identifiable data. The program aims to improve mental health access while ensuring privacy and reducing barriers for those in high-stress emergency response roles.