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II. DISASTER PREPAREDNESS, FIRE AND SAFETY
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The Governmental Operations Committee considers legislation concerning the
four entities charged with the delivery of emergency services in
the State. These agencies are the Office of Fire Prevention and
Control in the Department of State, the Bureau of Emergency
Services in the Department of Health, the State Emergency
Management Office within the Division of Military and Naval
Affairs, and the Office of Homeland Security.
Requiring Public Service Announcements in the Event of a Disaster
(Chapter 171 of the Laws of 2006/A.2808-A, Diaz, R.)
This law will enhance public safety in the event of a disaster. Currently, public
service announcements are not required in the event of a disaster,
which adds to the confusion and anxiety present during a disaster.
This law will require the Disaster Preparedness Commission to
prepare and distribute public service announcements in multiple
languages in order to advise the public of the best course of
action. Such announcements will be distributed to television and
radio stations throughout the State. This law will reduce panic
and enhance safety by providing the public with informed advice
if a disaster occurs.
Strengthening the Fire Safe Cigarette Law
(Chapter 583 of the Laws of 2006/A.7166-B, Grannis)
This law will enhance public safety and strengthen the fire
safe cigarette law by increasing the scope of fire investigations,
increasing enforcement powers of the Commissioner of Taxation and
Finance, the Secretary of State, and the Department of Health, and
requiring additional labeling of fire safe cigarettes. Currently,
cigarettes purchased outside of New York do not meet New York’s
fire safety standard, thereby continuing to place the general
public and firefighters at risk from cigarette-ignited fires.
Additionally, fire safety markings vary between manufacturers,
and it is difficult for consumers to ascertain whether the
cigarettes they have purchased meet the safety standard. By
increasing the scope of fire investigations, requiring additional
labeling of fire safe cigarettes, and by improving enforcement of
the law, this law will help to protect the public from
cigarette-ignited fires.
Biannual Evacuation Drills
(Chapter 21 of the Laws of 2006/A.9046, McEneny)
This law is a chapter amendment to Chapter 207 of the Laws
of 2005 to give the responsibility of ensuring the
evacuation of public buildings to the State Fire
Administrator.
Providing for the Emergency Evacuation of Pets and Service Animals
(Chapter 677 of the Laws of 2006/A.9292-A, Glick)
This law will ensure that state and local disaster preparedness plans take into account
the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals.
During Hurricane Katrina, many evacuees and disaster victims were
forced to leave their pets behind when they evacuated their homes,
because no provisions had been made to evacuate companion animals
along with their families. As a result, many pet owners, knowing
their companion animals could not accompany them, decided to stay
in their homes with their pets, making more difficult human rescue
efforts. This law will mitigate this situation by providing for
the utilization and coordination of programs to assist individuals
with household pets and service animals following a disaster, with
particular attention to means of evacuation, shelter, and
transportation options.
Requiring Carbon Monoxide Detectors in Multi- Family Dwellings
(Chapter 202 of the Laws of 2006/A.9346, Morelle)
This law makes technical amendments to Chapter 438 of the Laws of 2005
by clarifying that the requirements of Chapter 438 are to be
applied prospectively, not retroactively, to multiple dwellings
by changing the effective date for application of the law to
multiple family dwellings so that the provisions apply only to
multiple dwellings constructed or offered for sale after August
9, 2005. This law also requires owners to install operable
carbon monoxide detectors only in dwellings that may emit
carbon monoxide.
Increasing Efficiency of Fire Training Programs
(Chapter 615 of the Laws of 2006/A.10724, Sweeney)
This law increases the oversight of the fire training program
administered by the Office of Fire Prevention and Control to
ensure that firefighters receive sufficient training. This law
will require the Office of Fire Prevention and Control to adopt
rules and regulations and to issue a written report to the Governor
and the Legislature by February 15th of each year on firefighter
training activities. There have been repeated calls for increased
involvement in firefighter training activities by members of the
volunteer fire service. By requiring the Office to develop public
rules and regulations, the training process will be open to public
scrutiny, which will help ensure that firefighters receive adequate
training and that counties remain fully informed of the process
for obtaining necessary training hours.
Establishing a Statewide First Responders Mapping System Task Force
(A.11499, Galef/Veto Message # 409)
This bill would enhance public safety in times of crisis by
aiding first responders, who risk their lives to aid
others. In order to save time and aid rescue efforts,
this bill would establish a statewide First Responder
Mapping Information System Task Force, which would
determine how best to design and operate a statewide
first responder mapping information system and make
recommendations to the Governor and Legislature.
The Governor vetoed this bill on the ground that it could
interfere with state efforts to implement the National
Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) and that it would
interfere with the implementation of federally mandated
National Incident Management System (NIMS).
Assisting Orange and Sullivan County Residents and Businesses
(A.1678-A, Gunther)
The bill would establish the Orange and Sullivan County
Residential and Small Business Emergency Economic Relief Program
in order to assist residential and business recovery from storms
that occurred between August 13, 2004, and September 24, 2004.
This bill would authorize SEMO to assist eligible businesses and
residents by providing grants not to exceed five thousand dollars
or fifty percent of eligible project costs, whichever is less.
Homes and businesses were damaged as a result of a number of
severe storms and flooding that occurred in mid-August and
September. By providing a mechanism to restore homes and
businesses, this bill would help to restore residents and
businesses to their ‘pre-storm’ condition.
The bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Local
Governments Committee.
More Accessible Training for Firefighters
(A.5414, Ramos)
This bill would make training more easily accessible to
firefighters by authorizing the use of training videos by
either video or computer. This bill would require the
State Fire Administrator to study the use of video and
computer training programs and mandate that the Office
of Fire Prevention and Control permit the use of video
and computer training for firefighters to the maximum
extent possible.
The bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Finance Committee.
Requiring Evacuation Time Estimates
(A.9160, Brodsky)
This bill would enhance disaster preparedness by requiring
cities with a population of 500,000 or more to include
evacuation time estimates in their disaster preparedness
plans. This information would be valuable in coordinating
a large scale emergency evacuation effort by enabling
cities to mitigate potential loss of life and harmful
effects.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Rules
Committee.
Equipping State Police Vehicles With Automatic External Defibrillators
(A.9735-A, Paulin)
This bill would enhance public safety and may reduce the
number of deaths caused by sudden cardiac arrest by
equipping state police patrol vehicles with automatic
external defibrillators. Time is critical when responding
to cardiac arrest. State police are often the first to
arrive at the scene of an emergency situation. By
equipping state police patrol vehicles with automatic
external defibrillators, this bill will provide more people
with the opportunity to survive if struck by sudden cardiac
arrest.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Rules Committee.
Emergency Evacuation
(A.10361-A, Paulin)
This bill would help to ensure safety of all residents,
including persons with disabilities, during emergency
evacuations. Currently, high-rise building owners are not
required to create an emergency evacuation plan that
includes a method of evacuating people with disabilities
in the event of an emergency. Most people with
disabilities, especially those with mobility and/or sensory
impairments, rely on elevators to exit a building, making
independent emergency evacuation difficult because elevator
use is prohibited during emergencies. By requiring
high-rise building owners to create and maintain emergency
evacuation plans, the State would be enhancing emergency
protections afforded to persons with disabilities.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Housing, Construction, and Community Development
Committee.
Standardizing and Coordinating Weather-Related Disaster Preparedness Plans
(A.10739-B, Brodsky)
This bill would enhance the safety of the public by
requiring all counties, cities, towns and villages to take
steps to improve evacuation plans for weather-related
disasters. Public hearings held on weather related
disaster preparedness in New York State have revealed that
evacuation planning was inconsistent among counties. This
bill would enhance public safety by requiring counties to
consult with local agencies and organizations in the
preparation of such plans. It would also require the
Disaster Preparedness Commission to work with counties
to resolve inconsistencies in a county’s evacuation plan
in relation to neighboring counties and require the
Commission to annually review all such disaster
preparedness evacuation plans to ensure compliance.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the
Senate Rules Committee.
Ensuring the Safety of Individuals with Disabilities in the Event of a Disaster
(A.11693, Destito)
This bill would enhance the safety of individuals of all ages with disabilities
by making the current registry of such people who may be in need
of special assistance in the event of an emergency or disaster,
which is currently recommended to counties, mandatory. In a
March 2006 hearing, testimony was received that only two of
sixty-two counties have a county registry of people with
disabilities. Testimony was also received from state officials
identifying the lack of registries as a vulnerability in disaster
response. By requiring mandatory registries, this bill would
enhance disaster response capabilities throughout the State.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Rules Committee.
Encouraging Regional Cooperation in Disaster Preparedness Planning
(A.11741, Sweeney)
This bill would enhance the safety of New Yorkers in the
event of a disaster by promoting regional cooperation in
the preparation of disaster preparedness plans. At recent
Assembly hearings on disaster preparedness planning,
municipal and state officials testified about their
frustration at the lack of available information and input
from other municipalities. This legislation seeks to
encourage regional cooperation by requiring the Disaster
Preparedness Commission to hold annual regional meetings
and to facilitate the sharing of plans among neighboring
counties. This bill would also require the issuance of
guidelines to promote regional planning and cooperation and
would require the development of a plan for coordinated
regional evacuation procedures.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Rules Committee.
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III. CRIME VICTIMS
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The Governmental Operations Committee considers legislation addressing the Crime
Victims Board, the agency charged with advocating for and
compensating eligible crime victims. The Committee’s interest
and commitment to the concerns of crime victims goes beyond issues
directly relating to the Board itself. The Committee developed a
legislative package to improve the responsiveness of the criminal
justice system to crime victims and to improve the structure of
the Board.
Increased Clarity in the Determination of Claims
(Chapter 167 of the Laws of 2006/ A.1236-A, Dinowitz)
This law will increase consistency in Crime Victims Board
rulings by requiring all determinations made by the Board to
include any reasons for departing from precedent. Crime
victims have indicated that decisions by the Crime Victims
Board denying compensation claims do not contain an explanation
of the reasoning behind the decision. Often a claimant is not
given a basis for the Board’s denial of a claim, which
provokes an appeal of the decision on that basis. This law
remedies that problem as Board members will be required to
include the reason for departing from precedent.
Victim Notification Procedure
(Chapter 173 of the Laws of 2006/ A.3691, Destito)
This law will ensure that crime victims are made aware of available assistance
programs. It requires the Commissioner of the Division of
Criminal Justice Services, in cooperation with the Crime Victims
Board, to develop procedures and forms to be used by police
agencies, sheriff’s departments, and district
attorneys’ offices to notify crime victims about their
rights under the law and about the existence of victim assistance
programs.
Consulting with Crime Victims
(Chapter 193 of the Laws of 2006/ A.9058, Pheffer)
This law clarifies that the district attorney must consult with the victim
or the victim’s family, as appropriate, regarding his, her,
or their views regarding the disposition or resolution of the case
unless the victim or the victim’s family refuses, is
uncooperative, or his, her, or their whereabouts are unknown. This
law will provide district attorneys’ offices with greater
flexibility to allow for the prosecution of a case when such
instances arise.
Authority for the Crime Victims Board to Hear, Audit, and Determine the
Claims of Cory Boyd, for and on Behalf of William Gouin, a Minor
(A.7183-A, Paulin/ Veto Message # 327)
This bill would authorize the Crime Victims Board to hear,
audit, and determine the claims of Cory Boyd, for and on
behalf of William Gouin, a minor. The State would also
consent to have its liability on such claim determined
notwithstanding the effective date of Chapter 408 of the
Laws of 2005. The purpose of this bill is to allow Ms.
Boyd another opportunity to appear before the Board.
The Governor vetoed this bill as "the Crime Victims
Board has the authority to reinvestigate and reopen cases
as deemed necessary."
Designation of Fines to the Crime Victims Board
(A.257, Destito)
This bill would grant courts discretion to designate that
part or all of any fine or penalty paid by an adjudicated
violator of the State’s Antitrust Law be paid to the Crime
Victims Board. The bill would also provide that funds
collected from these fines and deposited with the Crime
Victims Board be expended for the provision of aid, care,
and support of crime victims.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Consumer Protection Committee.
Awards for Parents and Guardians of Crime Victims
(A.2941-A, Diaz, R.)
This bill would allow crime victim awards to include lost
wages of the parents or guardians of a victim when the
victim of a crime is under the age of eighteen. In the
event that a minor child is physically or emotionally
injured as the result of a criminal act committed against
him or her and hospitalization is necessary, the presence
of parents or other caretakers is not only helpful in the
healing process of the child but sometimes a necessary
assistance for medical personnel. Current law does not
allow the parents of victims to seek wage reimbursement,
thus adding the burden of a loss of income to families
dealing with the aftermath of a crime. By allowing
parents and guardians to seek reimbursement for wages lost
as the result of a crime committed against their child,
the State would be strengthening support afforded to the
victims’ families.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Crime Victims, Crime, and Correction Committee.
Establishing an Advocate for Crime Victims in State Government
(A.3577, DiNapoli)
This bill would establish an advocate for crime victims in
the State government by creating an ombudsman within the
Division of Criminal Justice Services. The ombudsman would
be authorized to investigate certain complaints brought by
crime victims and issue subpoenas and administer oaths in
the course of an investigation. The ombudsman would be
required to establish a toll-free telephone number to
communicate with crime victims and to report their findings
to the complainant and the investigated party or entity.
This bill would benefit crime victims by providing a third
party liaison between the crime victim, the Crime Victims
Compensation Board, and other governmental agencies.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Finance Committee.
Continuing Education for Public Officials Who
Interact With Crime Victims
(A.3690-A, Destito)
This bill would establish the Victims’ Assistance
Education Program, which would be developed by the Crime
Victims Board and the Division of Criminal Justice
Services. Attendance by the staff of the Crime Victims
Board would be mandatory on a biennial basis; board members
would attend at least one program. Education programs
would also be developed for use by police, sheriffs,
administrative law judges, district attorneys, and
providers of victim assistance services. This measure
would ensure that members and staff of the Crime Victims
Board are fully knowledgeable and trained in skills that
would provide assistance to crime victims. Additionally,
the Crime Victims Board would be required to report to
annually to the Governor and the Legislature on the use of
the program.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee.
Providing a Health Care Representative
(A.4194, DiNapoli)
This bill would require a member of the Crime Victims Board
to be a health care provider who has professional
experience treating or counseling crime victims.
Currently, there is little or no health care representation
on the Crime Victims Board, and the addition of such a
representative would add medical knowledge needed to
accurately determine claims.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Crime
Victims, Crime and Correction Committee.
Expedited Claim Disposition
(A.4195, DiNapoli)
This bill would expedite the disposition of claims by the Crime
Victims Board. Specifically, this bill would require the Board to
issue receipts for filed claims, authorize the Board to conduct an
investigation to determine whether a claimant is eligible to receive
an award, and require the investigation to be complete within sixty
days of receipt of the claim, unless there is good cause for an
extension, none of which may exceed thirty days. This bill also
outlines an appeal process for ineligible claimants. This bill
would help claimants by resolving their claims sooner.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Crime
Victims, Crime and Correction Committee.
Raising Claim Threshold
(A.4279, DiNapoli)
This bill would raise the threshold amount for claims for
compensation for crime-related losses at which the Crime
Victims Board must determine that the claimant will suffer
financial difficulty unless the claim is approved from
$5,000 to $6,000. Only a handful of such claims are
denied annually for being unable to establish financial
difficulty, and this bill would reduce the burden on crime
victims and shorten the reimbursement process.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee.
Clarification of Statutory Language
(A.5512, Ortiz)
This bill would define the term "necessary court
appearance" for the purpose of determining a crime
victim’s award for compensation. The success of the
judicial system is directly influenced by the treatment of and
input from crime victims. Our judicial system can function more
effectively when victims report crimes, confer with prosecutors,
testify at hearings and trials, and participate in other
phases. Some victims, however, cannot afford the transportation
costs associated with attending and participating in all phases
of prosecution. This legislation would define the term
"necessary court appearance" in order to aid crime
victims in the process of determining crime victims’ awards.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Crime
Victims, Crime, and Correction Committee.
Streamlining Reporting Requirements
(A.9811, Destito)
This bill would change the reporting requirements relative
to restitution and fair treatment standards from annually
to biennially and would consolidate annual reporting
requirements. While annual reporting for crime victim
service programs would be maintained, biennial reporting
would be implemented regarding the manner in which the
rights, needs, and interests of crime victims are being
addressed by the criminal justice system.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Crime Victims, Crime, and Correction Committee.
Protecting the Confidentiality of Addresses of Victims of Domestic Violence
(A.11362-A, Weinstein)
This bill would help to protect victims of domestic
violence by maintaining the confidentiality of their
addresses. This bill would provide that a victim of
domestic violence may apply to the Secretary of State to
have an address designated by the Department of State to
serve as the address of such victim in lieu of the
victim’s actual address. Upon acceptance of the
application, the Secretary of State would serve as the
applicant’s agent for the service of process and
receipt of mail for a period of four years from the date
the application is approved. By providing this service,
the State would further protect victims of domestic
violence from potential abuse.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the
Senate Rules Committee.
Establishing the Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Grant Program
(A.11670, John)
This bill would assist victims of sexual assault by
establishing the Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE)
Grant Program, which would award grants to provide
statewide access and services to victims of sexual
assault. Victims of sexual assault have needs that
require specialized resources. This bill would help
service agencies develop such resources and services
necessary to meet those needs.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Rules Committee.
Specialized Training for Public Officials Who Handle Sexual Assault Cases
(A.11671, DelMonte)
This bill would aid victims of sexual assault by increasing
the awareness of various aspects of sexual assault crimes
by requiring public officers, district attorneys, and
judges who have contact with such victims to undergo
specialized training. By requiring police officers,
attorneys employed by district attorneys, judges and
justices to undergo specialized training, the needs of
sexual assault victims would be better understood by
those public officials that handle such cases.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Rules Committee.
Creating the Crime Victims Assistance Academy
(A.11672, Hoyt)
This bill would assist crime victims by establishing a
State Crime Victims Assistance Academy to develop an
educated force that would provide services to crime
victims. Crime victims face a variety of different
situations and have needs that require specialized
training, education and resources. By creating a Crime
Victims Academy, the State would greatly enhance the
services and resources available to crime victims, as
well as to the service organizations and public officials
who work closely with crime victims.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Rules Committee.
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V. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND OPEN MEETINGS LAWS
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The Freedom of Information Law extends the public’s right to know the
process of governmental decision-making by allowing citizens to
review documents that form the basis of governmental decisions and
actions. The Open Meetings Law ensures that citizens are fully
aware of and can observe the performance of public officials by
attending and listening to the deliberation and decisions that go
into the making of public policy. Both of these laws ensure the
government’s accountability to the people.
Requesting and Receiving FOIL Requests Through Electronic Mail
(Chapter 182 of the Laws of 2006/ A.7993-B, Latimer)
This law updates the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) by enabling the public to
request and receive records by electronic mail (e-mail). FOIL
was enacted in 1974, before the development of e-mail. This law
updates FOIL to accommodate commonly-used technology, thus
removing impediments to access. By allowing for the use of
available technology, such as e-mail, this law increases the
public’s ability to request information, as well as state
entity’s ability to provide it.
Authorizing Payment of Certain Costs in Freedom of Information Litigation
(Chapter 492 of the Laws of 2006/ A.11449-A, Destito)
This law will increase public access to information by strengthening agency compliance
with the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). This law will strengthen
agency compliance with FOIL by eliminating the requirement that
attorney’s fees be awarded only where the Court finds that the
records were of substantial interest to the public. The Court
would also have discretion to award fees when the agency had no
reasonable basis for denying access or if the agency failed to
respond to a request or denial within the statutory time frame.
The deterrent of attorney’s fees will strengthen agency compliance
with FOIL, thus protecting "the people’s right to know."
Sorting Information Electronically
(A.8007, Paulin/Veto Message #257)
This bill would enhance government transparency by
requiring agencies, when updating or installing new
databases, to maximize record sorting capabilities.
Currently, an agency’s electronic record-keeping databases
may not allow for the sorting of records. This bill
would require that, when reasonable and practicable, when
designing a new electronic record-keeping database,
agencies consider sorting records in ways that would
segregate restricted and publicly available information.
This bill would ease the burden of administrative
requirements on agencies while promoting government
transparency.
The Governor vetoed this bill on the ground that it would
require agencies to procure new databases. However, the
provisions of this bill would only take effect if an
agency were to update or buy a new database.
Strengthening the Open Meetings Law
(A.1258, John)
This bill would strengthen the Open Meetings Law by
providing alternate judicial remedies to the courts when
any aspect of a meeting is closed in violation of the Open
Meetings Law. Specifically, this bill would subject any
action or substantial deliberation taken or held in
violation of the Open Meetings Law to either a stay or a
remand of that action to the public body for
reconsideration. This bill would also allow courts to
impose a fine of up to five hundred dollars on any public
body that violates the Open Meetings Law.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Investigations and Government Operations Committee.
Public Meetings Locations
(A.3032, Pretlow)
This bill would require that, when planning a public
meeting, the body in charge of planning must make all
reasonable efforts to hold the meeting in a location that
can accommodate the members of the public that wish to
attend.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Investigations and Governmental Operations Committee.
Increasing Access to Records
(A.6532-A, Galef)
This bill would increase access to records that are
required to be disclosed pursuant to the Freedom of
Information Law (FOIL) by waiving certain copyright
claims. Specifically, this bill would waive copyrights in
records that are prepared by agencies and are required to
be disclosed pursuant to the Freedom of Information Law
(FOIL), except where the record reflects artistic creation
or scientific or academic research. Government entities
have increasingly copyrighted government documents. For
example, a school board has copyrighted a board of
education meeting, thereby requiring citizens to request
permission to use the public document. This bill will
limit such uses of the copyright to preserve access to
government documents.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Rules Committee.
Access to Public Meetings for the Hearing Impaired
(A.9349, Wright)
This bill would require that those in charge of planning a
public meeting provide an interpreter for individuals with
hearing impairments when requested and when practical.
This bill would require that this request be in writing
and be made a reasonable amount of time prior to the public
meeting.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Investigations and Governmental Operations Committee.
Payment of Court Costs in Freedom of Information Litigation
(A.9661, Destito)
This bill would strengthen compliance with the Freedom of
Information Law (FOIL) by providing a deterrent to
unreasonable delays and denials of access. This bill would
require the award of attorney’s fees when agencies are in
violation of the law. Specifically such fees would be
assessed when an agency has no reasonable basis for
denying access; when an agency fails to respond to a
request or appeal within the statutory time frame and the
person denied access substantially prevails; or when agency
fails to respond, and discloses the record prior to the
issuance of a judicial decision determining the propriety
of the denial of access.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Investigations and Governmental Operations Committee. In
compromise, the Assembly subsequently passed A.11449-A
(Destito).
Availability of Records
(A.9771, Markey)
This bill would increase the transparency of government
meetings by making certain records, which are to be the
subject of discussion at an open meeting, available to
the public upon request at least seventy-two hours prior
to such meeting. This bill would also require that
copies of such records be available for a reasonable
fee.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Investigations and Governmental Operations Committee.
Photographing, Broadcasting, and Recording of Open Meetings
(A.9812, Destito)
This bill would allow for the photographing, broadcasting,
and recording of open meetings, so long as such activities
are not disruptive to the meeting. This bill would allow
the public body to adopt rules governing the location of
equipment and personnel during the meeting to ensure
orderly proceedings. This bill would provide increased
public access to public meetings.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Investigations and Governmental Operations Committee.
Requiring Guidance Documents
(A.10347, Diaz, R.)
This bill would improve state agency preparation of subject
matter lists of records maintained pursuant to the Freedom of
Information Law (FOIL). A recent study found that many agency
lists were seriously outdated and that many lists lacked detail
or omitted significant categories. This bill would improve the
preparation of subject matter lists by requiring the Committee
on Open Government to provide guidance on the development and
maintenance of such lists.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Investigations and Governmental Operations Committee.
Requiring State Entities to Post Information on the Freedom of Information Law
(A.10348, Diaz, R.)
This bill would make information regarding the Freedom
of Information Law (FOIL) and the Personal Privacy Law
more accessible to the public. This bill would
improve access by requiring state agencies to post
information about how to obtain available records on
their websites. Additionally, such posting would be
required to be linked to the website of the Department
of State’s Committee on Open Government.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Investigations and Governmental Operations
Committee.
Requiring Online Posting of Subject Matter Lists
(A.10349, Diaz, R.)
This bill would improve the public’s access to subject
matter lists maintained by agencies. A recent study found
that many agency lists were seriously outdated and that
many lists lacked detail or omitted significant
categories. This bill would require agencies to update
information annually and to post such information on
agency websites, which would improve access and increase
transparency by making it clear when lists are missing or
have become outdated.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Investigations and Governmental Operations Committee.
Access to Public Meetings for the Hearing
Impaired
(A.11559, Paulin)
This bill would increase access to public meetings by
requiring that interpreters be provided at public hearings
and meetings for individuals who are hearing impaired. The
services of interpreters for individuals with a hearing
impairment are essential if such individuals are to fully
participate in public meetings conducted by governmental
bodies. By providing access to interpreters, this bill
would facilitate participation in hearings and public
meetings by individuals who are hearing impaired.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the
Senate Rules Committee.
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VIII. GOVERNMENTAL ADMINISTRATION
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Displaying the Flag of the United States of America
(Chapter 583 of the Laws of 2006/A.6809-B, Nolan)
This law will require state parks with facilities that are developed for
public use to display the flag of the United States of America.
Currently, there is no law requiring parks within New York
State to display the country’s flag. State parks are areas of
recreation, and it is appropriate that the state display a flag
in each state park commemorating and symbolizing our nation.
Distribution of the Community Services Block
Grant
(Chapter 78 of the Laws of 2006/A.9206, Jacobs)
This law extends the authorization for the Department of State to
administer the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) through the
year 2007. Data from the 1995 census revealed that 16.5% of
individuals in New York State had incomes below the poverty level
as compared to 13.8% nationally. Approximately one in four
children in New York State lives in poverty and that percentage
increases each year. Compounding these percentages is the fact
that poverty among women, especially elderly women, is increasing
at an accelerated rate. This law enables community action agencies
to continue providing services to the poor in New York State.
Electronic Publication of the State Register
(Chapter 230 of the Laws of 2006/A.10293-A, McEneny)
This law will improve access to government actions and encourage
public involvement in State government. Currently, a great deal
of effort is required for citizens to comment on proposed
regulations. This law will enable citizens to have free access
to the State Register and to be able to comment on proposed
regulations published in the State Register via the internet.
Installment Payment Plan for Small Businesses
(A.10327, Christensen/Veto Message #343)
This bill would assist small businesses by enabling them to make
installment payments for civil penalties owed to state agencies.
Currently, small businesses are required to pay civil penalties that
are owed to state agencies in one lump sum, which can impose a
disproportionate burden on small businesses. Allowing small
businesses to use installment payments is one way to alleviate that
burden. This measure would ensure that any penalty amount of $2000
or more could be paid in quarterly installments while providing
agencies with authority to require financial assurance to ensure
the penalty would be paid.
The Governor vetoed the bill on the ground that the bill failed to
provide agencies with appropriate discretion to limit the use of
installment payments based on such factors as the cost and
administrative burden associated with such payments, as well
as the financial needs of the payor and the payor’s progress in
addressing the conduct that gave rise to the civil liability.
Submitting Materials to Crime Laboratories
(A.2213, Koon)
This bill would increase tools available to law enforcement
to solve cases by expanding the information entered into
the databank to include shell casings and projectiles.
This bill would require law enforcement agencies to submit
expended projectiles, expended shell casings, and seized
or found guns to the state police and to enter them in an
automated electronic database and also to submit such
material to an American Society of Crime Laboratory
Directors (ASCLD) laboratory within thirty days of
acquiring the material. Currently, local law enforcement
agencies are not required to submit evidence to a
centralized crime laboratory. By requiring agencies to do
so, this bill would facilitate the exchange of information,
which would increase the effectiveness of both the labs
and the local law enforcement agencies.
This bill has passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Finance Committee.
Preventing Police Misconduct
(A.2413, Wright)
This bill would ensure fairness and public confidence in
the judicial system by giving the attorney general expanded
authority to investigate and prosecute police officers
who have allegedly committed criminal offenses in relation
to the performance of their duties.
This legislation would ensure the effective investigation
and prosecution of alleged criminal conduct committed by
police officers in instances when the local prosecutor
lacks adequate resources to prosecute or when it is needed
to safeguard the public’s confidence in the judicial
system.
This bill has passed the Assembly, but died in the
Senate Finance Committee.
Obtaining Criminal Background Information on
In-Home Caregivers
(A.2817, DiNapoli)
This bill is would protect vulnerable residents in need of
care by expanding the definition of "caregivers" to
include individuals caring for senior citizens and
individuals who have an illness or disability, which would
enable prospective employers to obtain criminal history
background information on individuals providing care
to senior citizens or individuals with an illness or
disability. By extending the opportunity to obtain
criminal history background information to individuals
hiring in-home caregivers for seniors or persons having
an illness or disability, this bill would help ensure the
safety of those who are under the supervision of an in-home
caregiver.
This bill has passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Finance Committee.
Increasing Inter-Governmental Cooperation for
Caregiver Background Checks
(A.3257, DiNapoli)
This bill would clarify the role of the Division of
Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) in processing information
supplied by the FBI by requiring DCJS to provide a criminal
history report to prospective employers of caregivers. In
1998, Kieran’s law was enacted in response to the death
of ten-month-old Kieran Dunne at the hands of his in-home
caregiver.
The statute was intended to give parents, hiring in-home
caregivers for their children, the opportunity to learn of
any criminal history on record with either DCJS or the FBI
prior to hiring such caregiver. The FBI has refused to
comply with the law, claiming it would require the
delivery of criminal history directly to private employer,
an act that they are prohibited from doing. This bill
would clarify that the FBI is required to deliver the
criminal history directly to DCJS, an authorized agency,
which will then prepare a report for the employer.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Finance Committee.
Audits and Follow-Up Reviews of State Agencies
(A.4372, Brennan)
This bill would require that agencies provide the Governor
and the Legislature with continuing status reports on
recommendations made by the State Comptroller’s audit
report every ninety days until all recommendations with
which the agency concurs have been implemented. This would
provide the Legislature and the Governor with increased
information on agency compliance.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the
Senate Finance Committee.
Assisting Public Employees Called to Military Service
(A.7104, Towns)
This bill would assist public employees called to military service
by extending the period of time for which a public employee may
receive paid military leave. Currently, public employees receive
a total of thirty days of paid leave a year for military service.
By increasing the number of days of paid leave afforded to public
employees for military service to a total of sixty days, this
bill would assist the brave men and women who leave their homes
and families to answer the call of duty.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate Veterans,
Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee.
Encouraging Employer-Sponsored Health Coverage
(A.7310, Grannis)
This bill would encourage businesses to offer health
insurance coverage to their employees by granting a
preference in the award of state contracts to contractors
that provide their employees with employer-sponsored health
coverage. A growing number of companies are dropping
employer-sponsored health coverage or increasing cost
sharing to the point where coverage becomes unaffordable.
By creating a preference in the award of state contracts
for employers that provide employer-sponsored health
coverage, this bill would provide an incentive for those
businesses that currently provide coverage to maintain
benefits for their employees and provide an incentive for
additional companies to follow suit.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the
Senate Rules Committee.
Regulating the Solicitation of Charitable
Contributions
(A.7580, Lentol)
This bill would help prevent fraudulent solicitations by
strengthening regulations relating to the solicitation of
charitable contributions on the behalf of firefighter
support organizations. This bill would institute a fine
for violations of up to $1000 or double the amount the
defendant fraudulently collects, whichever is greater,
and would provide that the willful failure to file fund
raising contracts, closing statements, or other
documentation as required by law is a violation. By
strengthening regulations and by providing stronger
deterrents, this bill would help to protect New Yorkers
from fraudulent solicitations.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the
Senate Finance Committee.
Regulating Filing Fees
(A.11673, Eddington)
This bill would provide that the Department of State may
refund fees if a document is not accepted for filing.
Currently, fees for the filing of documents are retained
by filing offices even if documents are not accepted for
filing.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Finance Committee.
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XII. MISCELLANEOUS
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Designating an Official State Bush
(Chapter 563 of the Laws of 2006/A.2685, Morelle)
This law will designate the lilac bush, also known as the
syringa vulgaris, as the official bush of the State of New
York. The lilac bush has been cherished by generations of
New Yorkers, and its beauty and fragrance is celebrated
annually at the Lilac Festival of Rochester, which is known
commonly as the lilac capital of the World. As such it is
fitting to designate the lilac bush as the official state
bush.
Residency Requirements of Municipal Sanitation
Workers
(Chapter 200 of the Laws of 2006/A.9284-A, Destito)
This law will make technical amendments to Chapter 760 of the
Laws of 2005 by providing municipal sanitation employees with
residency requirements comparable to those provided to corrections
officers and certain parole and health department employees.
Residency Requirements of Montgomery County Assistant District Attorneys
(Chapter 663 of the Laws of 2006/ A.9463-A, Tonko)
This law will permit a person holding the office of Assistant District Attorney of
Montgomery County to reside in Montgomery County or an adjacent
county within New York State. By providing greater flexibility
regarding the residency of assistant district attorneys, this law
will assist Montgomery County in its efforts to fill these positions
by expanding the pool of eligible candidates.
Residency Requirements of New York City Fire Alarm Dispatchers
(Chapter 209 of the Laws of 2006/A.9707, Abbate)
This law will allow fire alarm dispatchers to live outside the confines of the
City of New York. This law permits greater flexibility and enables
the City to use a larger pool of applicants when filling such
positions.
Residency Requirements of Members of the Montauk Board of Fire Commissioners
(Chapter 607 of the Laws of 2006/A.10409-B, Thiele)
This law will enable an individual to hold the office of member of the Board of Fire
Commissioners of the Montauk Fire District provided that such
individual resides in the school district in which the fire district
is located. This law will provide the Montauk Fire District with a
larger pool of applicants elligible for membership to the Board.
Designating an Official State Reptile
(Chapter 523 of the Laws of 2006/A.10844, Dinowitz)
This law will designate the common snapping turtle, also known as chelydra
serpentina, as the official reptile of State of New York. New York
is one of the few states that does not have an official state
reptile. School children throughout the State participated in a
survey in order to determine the most popular reptile, and the
results of the survey determined that the common snapping turtle
is New York’s most popular reptile. As such, it is fitting to
designate the common snapping turtle as the official state
reptile.
Designating an Official State Marine Fish
(Chapter 541 of the Laws of 2006/A.11171, Saladino)
This law will designate the striped bass, also known as
morone saxatilis, as the official salt water fish of the State of
New York. The striped bass is a hugely popular, highly sought
after fish that is native to the Hudson River and the regions
surrounding New York City and Long Island. As such, it is fitting
to designate the striped bass as the official state marine fish.
Land Conveyance to the Town of Irondequoit
(Chapter 717 of the Laws of 2006/A.11502-A, Morelle)
This law authorizes the Department of Transportation to transfer and
convey land located in the town of Irondequoit to the town of
Irondequoit to be used for recreational purposes, as well as to
convey and transfer land in the town of Irondequoit to the Overlook
Development Corporation in exchange for a parcel of land of equal
or greater value. The exchange, transfer, and conveyance of such
land will aid in the reconstruction of the 590 interchange in the
town of Irondequoit.
Providing Funeral or Bereavement Leave
(A.2839-B, Glick)
This bill would provide similar benefits to employees in a
same-sex committed relationship as are afforded to married
employees by extending funeral or bereavement leave upon
the death of an employee’s same-sex committed partner or
that partner’s family when such leave is offered to
married employees. Currently, individuals in same-sex
relationships who are prohibited from civil marriage are
often not granted bereavement leave to attend the funeral
of their partner or partner’s blood relation. By extending
funeral or bereavement leave upon the death of an
employee’s same-sex committed partner or that
partner’s family, this bill would solve an inequity
in the law and acknowledge the value that any committed
relationship contributes to our communities.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Rules Committee.
Establishing a Genetics Advisory Council
(A.4264-B, Cahill)
This bill would establish a council to evaluate and advise the
Governor and the Legislature regarding issues involving genetic
counseling and tests. Currently, state law requires informed
consent prior to taking a genetic test, but it does not
mandate such counseling. However, to be fully informed,
professional counseling is needed. By establishing a council
to evaluate issues involving genetic counseling and tests,
this bill would allow for more informed decisions and provide
much needed information about current applications as well as
future implications.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Rules Committee.
Updating the Official State Insect Designation
(A.6247, Calhoun)
This bill would update the provisions of law relating to
the species of the New York State insect. Currently, the
New York State insect is the nine-spotted lady beetle,
also known as coccinella novemnotata. This bill would
update the state insect and change it to the spotted lady
bug, known as colemegilla maculate, as the nine-spotted
lady beetle is no longer found in New York State.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Rules Committee.
Providing for Reimbursement to State Employees in
Defense of Certain Proceedings
(A.8122, Abbate)
This bill would provide reasonable attorneys’ fees and
litigation expenses for state employees in defense of a
professional misconduct proceeding. Currently, the Public
Officers Law provides certain protections for state
employees who are sued civilly or prosecuted criminally
due to conduct engaged in during the course of state
employment, but no provision exists that provides for
similar reimbursement for such expenses for a publicly
employed licensed professional who is the subject of a
professional disciplinary investigation or prosecution
relating to the professional’s state employment. This bill
would remedy this inequity by providing the same
protections to any state employee licensed, certified, or
otherwise authorized to practice law or any of the other
legally authorized professions.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Rules Committee.
Residency Requirements for Auto Workers
(A.9706-B, Abbate)
This bill would ease residency requirements and the cost
of living for auto mechanics employed by a city with a
population of at least one million by allowing them to
live in a county within the State that is contiguous to
the city in which they are employed.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Finance Committee.
Protecting Environmentally Sensitive Areas
(A.11625, DiNapoli)
This bill would help enhance protection of New York’s
coastal resources and inland waterways by authorizing the
Secretary of State to approve, disapprove, or require
modifications to certain projects located in defined
environmentally sensitive areas. Currently, the United
States Secretary of Commerce can overrule New York’s
objection to certain projects. This bill would clarify
and enhance the Secretary of State’s authority over major
projects and projects located in environmentally sensitive
areas in New York’s Coastal Zone, which would result
in full delegation and better protection of the
State’s coastal resources.
This bill passed the Assembly, but died in the Senate
Rules Committee.
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A.1236-A
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Dinowitz
|
Increases consistency in Crime Victims Board rulings by requiring the Board to provide claimants with
rationale when departing from precedent in a decision. Chapter 167 of the Laws of 2006
|
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A.2685
|
Morelle
|
Designates the lilac bush as the official state bush. Chapter 563 of the Laws of 2006
|
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A.2808-A
|
Diaz, R.
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Requires the Disaster Preparedness Commission to prepare and distribute public service
announcements in multiple languages. Chapter 171 of the Laws of 2006
|
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A.3691
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Destito
|
Requires the development and implementation of uniform procedures to be used to
notify crime victims of their rights. Chapter 173 of the Laws of 2006
|
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A.4452-A
|
Christensen
|
Designates November 12th as "Elizabeth Cady Stanton Day," a day of commemoration.
Chapter 23 of the Laws of 2006
|
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A.4576-A
|
Carrozza
|
Designates the last Sunday in September as a day in commemoration for
Gold Star Mothers. Chapter 48 of the Laws of 2006
|
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A.6809-B
|
Nolan
|
Requires state parks with facilities that are developed for public use to display
the flag of the United States of America. Chapter 688 of the Laws of 2006
|
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A.7166-B
|
Grannis
|
Strengthens the fire safe cigarette law by increasing fire investigations, increasing
enforcement powers, and clarifying the labeling requirements of fire safe cigarettes.
Chapter 583 of the Laws of 2006
|
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A.7993-B
|
Latimer
|
Updates the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) by enabling the public to request
and receive records by electronic mail (e-mail). Chapter 182 of the Laws of 2006
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A.8456-B
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Pheffer
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Protects New York residents from identity theft by requiring businesses to properly dispose
of documents that contain personal identifying information to prevent unauthorized access.
Chapter 65 of the Laws of 2006
|
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A.9046
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McEneny
|
Places the responsibility of ensuring the evacuation of public buildings under
the State Fire Administrator. Chapter 21 of the Laws of 2006
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A.9058
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Pheffer
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Clarifies a district attorney’s duty to consult with a victim or the victim’s family
regarding the resolution of the case. Chapter 193 of the Laws of 2006
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A.9206
|
Jacobs
|
Extends the authorization for the Department of State to administer the Community Services
Block Grant (CSBG) through the year 2007. Chapter 78 of the Laws of 2006
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A.9284-A
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Destito
|
Provides municipal sanitation employees with residency requirements comparable to those
provided to uniformed fire and corrections officers and certain parole and health department
employees. Chapter 200 of the Laws of 2006
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A.9292-A
|
Glick
|
Requires state and local disaster preparedness plans take into account the needs of individuals
with household pets and service animals. Chapter 677 of the Laws of 2006
|
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A.9346
|
Morelle
|
Clarifies certain requirements relating to mandatory installation of carbon monoxide
detectors in multiple dwellings. Chapter 202 of the Laws of 2006
|
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A.9463-A
|
Tonko
|
Permits a person holding the office of Assistant District Attorney of Montgomery County to
reside in Montgomery County or an adjacent county within New York State. Chapter 663
of the Laws of 2006
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A.9598
|
Diaz, R.
|
Clarifies that by filing a notice of revised rule making, an agency may extend the period within which a rule
may be commented on for an additional ninety days. Chapter 596 of the Laws of 2006
|
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A.9707
|
Abbate
|
Provides New York City fire alarm dispatchers with residency requirements comparable to those of a uniformed fire
fighter, correction officer and health department officials. Chapter 209 of the Laws of 2006
|
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A.10026
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Towns
|
Designates February 4th as "Rosa Parks Day," a day of commemoration. Chapter 221 of the Laws of 2006
|
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A.10108-B
|
Magnarelli
|
Authorizes the conveyance of State property to the City of Syracuse for the purpose of providing
affordable housing in the City of Syracuse. Chapter 70 of the Laws of 2006
|
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A.10293-A
|
McEneny
|
Improves access to government actions by enabling citizens to obtain access to the State Register
and to be able to comment on its proposed regulations free of charge via the internet.
Chapter of 230 the Laws of 2006
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A.10409-B
|
Thiele
|
Enables members of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Montauk Fire District to live in the
school district where such fire district is located. Chapter 607 of the Laws of 2006
|
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A.10680-A
|
O’Mara
|
Authorizes the conveyance of certain real property of the state of New York to the county
of Schuyler in exchange for real property to be utilized for forestry purposes. Chapter
613 of the Laws of 2006
|
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A.10724
|
Sweeney
|
Requires the Office of Fire Prevention and Control to promulgate rules and regulations
relating to firefighter training programs and to report annually to the Governor and the Legislature
on the minimum training hours allocated, unfulfilled and used by each county. Chapter 615 of the
Laws of 2006
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A.10844
|
Dinowitz
|
Designates the common snapping turtle, also known as chelydra serpentina, as the official
reptile of State of New York. Chapter 523 of the Laws of 2006
|
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A.11171
|
Saladino
|
Designates the striped bass, also known as morone
saxatilis, as the official marine or salt water fish of the State of New York.
Chapter 541 of the Laws of 2006
|
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A.11449-A
|
Destito
|
Increases public access to information by strengthening agency compliance
with the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). Chapter 492 of the Laws of 2006
|
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A.11502-A
|
Morelle
|
Authorizes the transfer and exchange of certain land necessary for a
municipal project. Chapter 717 of the Laws of 2006
|
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A.11667-A
|
Destito
|
Clarifies that contracts between the unified court system and not-for-profit
agencies are to be treated the same as not- for- profit contracts with executive agencies.
Chapter 395 of the Laws of 2006
|
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A.147
|
Destito
|
Would require that surplus state personal property be offered to municipalities prior to
public sales of such property.
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A.257
|
Destito
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Would grant a court discretion to direct that a portion of any fine or penalty paid by an adjudicated violator
of the State’s Antitrust Law be paid to the Crime Victims Board.
|
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A.282
|
Christensen
|
Would direct the Division of Human Rights to institute rules to allow complaints to be filed as class actions.
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A.1235
|
Dinowitz
|
Would permit the awarding of reasonable attorneys' fees, costs, and exemplary damages in court actions
for unlawful discriminatory practices.
|
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A.1258
|
John
|
Would strengthen the open meetings law by providing alternative judicial remedies to the courts
when a meeting is closed in violation of the Open Meetings Law.
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A.1348
|
Morelle
|
Would prohibit the practice of state agencies extending loans to employees.
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A.1622-A
|
Millman
|
Would establish a fund to implement the provisions of Article 15-A of the
Executive Law, which relates to participation by minority group members and women with
respect to State contracts.
|
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A.1678-A
|
Gunther
|
Would establish the Orange and Sullivan County Residential and Small Business Economic
Relief Program to assist residents and businesses recover from storms that occurred.
|
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A.2159
|
Lifton
|
Would waive the immunity of the State and its subdivisions for actions resulting from violations
of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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A.2213
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Koon
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Would increase the tools available to law enforcement by expanding the information
entered into the databank to include shell casings and projectiles.
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A.2413
|
Wright
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Would grant the Attorney General jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute police misconduct.
|
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A.2531
|
Hoyt
|
Would require that the Executive maintain specified public and private records, as well as
establish protocols for control of the records following the governor's term in office.
|
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A.2817
|
DiNapoli
|
Would expand the definition of "caregivers" to include individuals caring for senior
citizens and individuals who have an illness or disability.
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A.2825
|
DiNapoli
|
Would prohibit the practice of compensating employees of different sexes differently
for work of comparable value.
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A.2839-B
|
Glick
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Would provide funeral or bereavement benefits to employees in a same
sex committed relationship upon the death of an employee’s same sex committed partner or
that partner’s family.
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A.2941-A
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Diaz, R.
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Would include within compensable losses lost wages of the parent or guardian of a minor who
is hospitalized as the result of a crime in crime victims’ compensation awards.
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A.3032
|
Pretlow
|
Would require that public bodies make a reasonable effort to hold meetings in a location that
will accommodate all members of the public who wish to attend.
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A.3173
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Gottfried
|
Would relate to the amendment of legislation containing future effective dates or sunset dates.
|
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A.3256
|
DiNapoli
|
Would relate to the filing of financial disclosure documents.
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A.3257
|
DiNapoli
|
Would require the FBI to provide to the Division of Criminal Justice Services
criminal history reports on individuals seeking employment as caregivers, which DCJS may provide
to the prospective employers.
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A.3471-A
|
Brodsky
|
Would establish a minority-and women-owned business enterprise (MWBE)
goal plan and reporting procedure.
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A.3577
|
DiNapoli
|
Would establish an advocate for crime victims in State government.
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A.3690-A
|
Destito
|
Would establish a victims’ assistance program within the Crime Victims Board.
|
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A.4133-B
|
Morelle
|
Would relate to the hearing of complaints by the Division of Human Rights.
|
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A.4194
|
DiNapoli
|
Would provide a health care provider to the Crime Victims Board.
|
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A.4195
|
DiNapoli
|
Would expedite the disposition of claims by the Crime Victims Board.
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A.4264-B
|
Cahill
|
Would establish the Genetics Advisory Council.
|
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A.4279
|
DiNapoli
|
Would raise the threshold amount for review of certain claims for
compensation for crime-related losses from $5,000 to $6,000.
|
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A.4372
|
Brennan
|
Would relate to audits and follow-up reviews of state agencies by the state comptroller.
|
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A.5414
|
Ramos
|
Would require the state fire administrator to make training programs
available on computer and by video to the maximum extent practicable.
|
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A.5512
|
Ortiz
|
Would redefine the term "necessary court appearance" when determining an individual’s
award from the Crime Victims Board.
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A.5871-A
|
Canestrari
|
Would extend the exceptions to restrictions on business and political activities of certain
state employees who were terminated after January 1, 1995, and before April 1, 2002, for
certain reasons, such as economic changes, abolition of duties, or consolidation within
their departments.
|
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A.6247
|
Calhoun
|
Would update the New York State insect from the nine-spotted lady beetle, also known as
coccinella novemnotata, to the spotted lady bug, known as colemegilla maculata.
|
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A.6282-B
|
Destito
|
Would prohibit certain discriminatory practices against domestic
violence victims relating to housing.
|
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A.6328
|
Cahill
|
Would make the scope of protection for individuals with disabilities under
the state human rights law consistent with federal legislation.
|
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A.6350
|
McLaughlin
|
Would authorize the use of innovative techniques to enhance public participation in the
rulemaking process, provided that all existing opportunities to participate remain undiminished.
|
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A.6527
|
Cook
|
Would create policies to strengthen the opportunities of minority- and women-owned business
enterprises (MWBEs) to compete for state contracts.
|
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A.6532-A
|
Galef
|
Would increase access to records that are required to be disclosed pursuant to the
Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) by limiting the use of copyrights by agencies.
|
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A.6635-B
|
McLaughlin
|
Would set forth regulations regarding the issuance of subregulatory documents by agencies.
|
|
A.7104
|
Towns
|
Would assist public employees called to military service by extending
the period of time for which a public employee may receive paid military leave.
|
|
A.7310
|
Grannis
|
Would encourage employers to provide health care coverage to their
employees by granting a preference in the award of state contracts.
|
|
A.7580
|
Lentol
|
Would strengthen regulations relating to the solicitation of charitable
contributions on the behalf of firefighter support organizations.
|
|
A.7670-D
|
Pheffer
|
Would prohibit businesses from filing unnecessary personal
identifying information with the State.
|
|
A.8122
|
Abbate
|
Would provide reasonable attorneys’ fees and litigation
expenses for State employees in defense of a professional misconduct proceeding.
|
|
A.8361
|
Destito
|
Would require not-for-profit corporations that are closely affiliated
with the State to abide by the State Code of Ethics.
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A.8459
|
Sweeney
|
Would require the Governor to preserve and archive documentary materials
pertaining to new statutes or vetoes of legislation.
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|
A.9067
|
Millman
|
Would strengthen compliance with Article 15-A, which regulates participation
of Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) in State contracts,
by requiring contracting agencies to post utilization plans on their agency website.
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A.9160-A
|
Brodsky
|
Would require cities of five hundred thousand or more to use the best available
technology to include evacuation time estimates in their disaster preparedness plans.
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|
A.9207
|
Destito
|
Would provide greater access to government documents by clarifying that public records
maintained by the State Ethics Commission and the Legislative Ethics Committee may be copied.
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|
A.9243-A
|
Destito
|
Would streamline the Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) certification
process.
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|
A.9256-A
|
Peoples
|
Would commission a statewide disparity study regarding the participation of Minority-
and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) in State contracts.
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|
A.9292-A
|
Glick
|
Would ensure that state and local disaster preparedness plans take into account the needs
of individuals with household pets and service animals.
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|
A.9349
|
Wright
|
Would require that interpreters or assistive devices be provided at public hearings and
meetings for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
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|
A.9661
|
Destito
|
Would strengthen compliance with the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL).
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|
A.9706-B
|
Abbate
|
Would enable auto mechanics employed by New York City to reside in a county adjoining the City.
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A.9735-A
|
Paulin
|
Would require state police patrol vehicles to be equipped with automatic external defibrillators (AEDs).
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|
A.9771
|
Markey
|
Would make certain records, which are to be the subject of discussion at an open meeting, available to the
public upon request at least seventy-two hours prior to such meeting.
|
|
A.9811
|
Destito
|
Would consolidate the existing reporting requirements for the Crime Victims Board.
|
|
A.9812
|
Destito
|
Would allow meetings of a public body to be recorded, photographed, and broadcast.
|
|
A.9983
|
Peoples
|
Would designate a time frame in which a court action may be filed in a discrimination
case after an administrative complaint has been dismissed by the Division of Human Rights.
|
|
A.10027
|
Towns
|
Would designate a day of commemoration to be known as "Coretta Scott King Day."
|
|
A.10074
|
Destito
|
Would prohibit state agencies from using Social Security numbers as a means of employee identification.
|
|
A.10075-A
|
Destito
|
Would require agencies and municipalities to redact personal identifying information before a
record is made available to the public via the internet.
|
|
A.10347
|
Diaz, R.
|
Would require the Committee on Open Government to provide guidance on the development and maintenance of subject
matter lists of records maintained pursuant to the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL).
|
|
A.10348
|
Diaz, R.
|
Would make information regarding the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) and the Personal Privacy Law more accessible
to the public by requiring state agencies to post such information online.
|
|
A.10349
|
Diaz, R.
|
Would improve the public’s access to subject matter lists maintained by agencies by requiring agencies to
update information annually and to post such information on agency websites.
|
|
A.10361-A
|
Paulin
|
Would require the Department of State’s Building Code Council to update the fire codes, specifically
emergency evacuation requirements, to take into account individuals with disabilities.
|
|
A.10739-B
|
Brodsky
|
Would require all counties to take steps to enhance evacuation plans for weather-related disasters.
|
|
A.11362-A
|
Weinstein
|
Would protect the confidentiality of the addresses of victims of domestic violence by enabling
the Department of State to accept mail service for such victims.
|
|
A.11559
|
Paulin
|
Would require that interpreters be provided at public hearings and meetings for individuals who are hearing impaired.
|
|
A.11625-B
|
DiNapoli
|
Would enhance protection of New York’s coastal resources and inland waterways by
defining, identifying, and protecting environmentally sensitive areas.
|
|
A.11670
|
John
|
Would establish a sexual assault forensic examiner (SAFE) grant program to award grants
to provide statewide access and services to victims of sexual assault.
|
|
A.11671
|
DelMonte
|
Would require increased training of public officers and district attorneys
who have contact with sexual assault victims.
|
|
A.11672
|
Hoyt
|
Would establish a State Crime Victims Assistance Academy to develop an
educated force that would provide services to crime victims.
|
|
A.11673
|
Eddington
|
Would authorize the Department of State to refund certain processing fees.
|
|
A.11693
|
Destito
|
Would require all counties to maintain a registry of people of all ages
with disabilities for the purpose of evacuation and shelter during times of disaster.
|
|
A.11741
|
Sweeney
|
Would encourage regional cooperation in disaster preparedness planning.
|
|
A.11900-B
|
Silver
|
Would clarify and strengthen existing lobbying and ethics laws.
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