Relates to returnable bottles; adds noncarbonated soft drinks, certain noncarbonated fruit or vegetable juices, coffee and tea beverages, carbonated fruit beverages and cider to the definition of "beverage"; provides that beginning April 1, 2027, the handling fee will be six cents for each beverage container accepted by a deposit initiator from a dealer or operator of a redemption center; directs the multi-agency bottle bill fraud investigation team to submit a report on findings of pervasive bottle redemption fraud in New York state.
Directs the education department and OCFS to prepare posters and pamphlets with information regarding higher education funding opportunities for foster youth.
Waives the registration fee and service charge for distinctive plates for volunteer firefighters and members of volunteer ambulance services where the applicant has attended twenty-five percent or more of the emergency calls for the previous year.
Requires the commissioner to establish domestic violence awareness curriculum or instruction for school districts; requires content to be age appropriate.
Establishes a 14 member doula Medicaid reimbursement work group within the department of health to set reimbursement rates for doulas in the state Medicaid program and address other criteria related to their practice; requires the work group to conduct a study and evaluate the costs, benefits and issues that may be associated with Medicaid reimbursement for doulas and for providing doula care to Medicaid recipients; makes related provisions.
Directs the department of social services to establish an outdoor, nature-based child care pilot project to explore establishing licensing guidelines for the operation of outdoor, nature-based child care programs in an outdoor space and that employ a nature-based early learning curriculum to teach enrolled children.
Prohibits discrimination against and harassment or bullying of students by other students on school property or at a school function; requires schools to investigate reports of bullying; requires schools to adopt a written, plain-language anti-bullying and harassment policy; requires school employees to report incidents of bullying or harassment.
Protects individuals who provide or receive legally protected health activity, including reproductive health care and gender-affirming care, from criminal or civil liability or professional sanctions imposed by jurisdictions outside the state.
Requires the appointment of a Title VI coordinator at every college and university in the state to ensure compliance with Title VI of the federal civil rights act of 1964; requires the division of human rights to develop training for students and employees; requires the Title VI coordinator to notify annually all students and employees of the institution's policies and procedures for reporting discrimination and harassment.
Establishes the civil right to counsel in eviction proceedings in New York state; creates the New York state office of civil representation; requires that covered individuals be given notice of such right to counsel.
Relates to the health, safety and human rights of incarcerated pregnant individuals, incarcerated birthing parents and their children; requires the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to establish rules and regulations relating to conditions in institutions and correctional facilities and the treatment and care of birthing parents in such institutions and facilities.