Assembly Action Highlights
January 28 - February 1, 2008

Dan Weiller, Press Secretary

Speaker Silver And Majority Members Support Legislation To Restrict Sex Offenders On Web

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and members of the Majority Conference joined Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to announce legislation (A.9859) that would protect New Yorkers from sexual predators using the Internet.

The Electronic Security and Targeting of Online Predators Act (e-STOP) would authorize the state Division of Criminal Justice Services to release the email addresses and instant messaging screen names of the most dangerous sex offenders to social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook. Under the bill, the Web services, which are accessed by millions of users each day, could prescreen and deny access to registered sex offenders and notify law enforcement, who could determine if any parole violations have occurred.

Speaking at a Capitol news conference, Silver noted that although social networking sites have helped bring people together, they also can provide greater anonymity to predators.

"Given the secrecy, the manipulation and the deception that often accompanies sex-offending behavior, the Internet - with its promise of anonymity - provides a perfect tool for convicted sex offenders who are on probation or parole to circumvent their supervision, undermine their treatment, and "re-emerge" as cyber-stalkers," Silver said.

Silver credited Assemblyman Joseph Lentol, Chair of the Codes Committee and other members of the Assembly Majority for their commitment to developing legislation with Attorney General Cuomo that will help protect children from Internet predators.

A key provision of the bill would ban the use of social networking sites by level 3 sex offenders as well as those convicted of using the Internet to commit sex offenses.

Assembly's New Rate Process For Workers' Comp Insurance Bill Signed By Governor

The bill (A.9817), sponsored by Assemblywoman Susan John, to establish a new "loss costs" method for setting workers' compensation rates was signed into law by Gov. Eliot Spitzer. The measure will bring the state's rating setting process in line with the majority of other states in the country.

In addition, the legislation makes significant changes to the rate service organization (RSO), which is licensed to file the "loss costs" data with the Department of Insurance. Under the bill, the governing body of the RSO will now include designees of the State Insurance Fund, the Department of Insurance, the Workers` Compensation Board, the AFL-CIO and the Business Council, as well as representatives of private insurance carriers.

According to the sponsor, the measure will bring transparency into the rate making process and ensure that rates are set in a sound manner. The new rate setting structure established in the bill aims to make the cost of workers' compensation insurance more competitive, providing incentives for carriers to be more efficient and responsive to the needs of workers and businesses.

Assembly Passes No Smoking In Dormitories Bill

The Assembly approved the passage of a bill that would prohibit smoking in residential halls and dormitories at public and private schools and colleges throughout New York.

The legislation (A.538-A), sponsored by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, aims to safeguard the health of non-smoking students who are affected by secondhand smoke in dormitories as well as reduce the risk of fire caused by cigarettes that are not extinguished. The bill was delivered to the Senate.

Assembly Approves Ban On Display Of Noose

The Assembly passed legislation that would make it a crime to display, paint, etch or draw a noose to intimidate or harass another person.

The bill (A.9480) is in response to a rash of well-publicized incidents including cases in New York City and on Long Island in which nooses were used to harass individuals about their race, identity and religion. The legislation would change the law to make it a felony to attempt to frighten a person with a noose. The bill was delivered to the Senate.

Legislative Hearings Review Governor's Budget Proposal

Assembly Ways and Means Committee Chairman Herman "Denny" Farrell and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Owen Johnson examined Gov. Spitzer's 2008-09 Executive Budget proposal, conducting the first four of the 12 scheduled hearings on budget matters related to local governments, housing, mental hygiene and higher education.

Next week, in Hearing Room "B" of the Legislative Office Building, the Legislature will continue the series of joint hearings on the Governor's budget. On Monday, February 4, at 10:00 a.m., testimony will be taken on transportation programs and on Tuesday, February 5, at noon, budget proposals effecting human services will be examined. At 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 6, a hearing is scheduled to review health and Medicaid concerns and on Thursday, February 7, at 9:30 a.m., testimony will heard on public protection issues.

Testimony is expected from government officials as well as representatives from health organizations and social services advocates, the transportation industry and law enforcement agencies.