The New York State Senate along with Joe Robach gave final passage to a bill that provides additional resources for breast cancer research and also passed a measure to increase access to important information about changes to women’s health coverage. The bills, supported by Joe Robach, support breast cancer mapping initiatives and facilitate public education about newly-covered preventive services and health screening for women.

One bill (S3768) allows funds from the Breast Cancer Research and Education Fund to be used towards breast cancer mapping initiatives. The Fund supports research or educational programs which focus on the causes, prevention, screening, treatment and cure of breast cancer research. This legislation would add breast cancer mapping to the programs which currently include basic, behavioral, clinical, demographic, environmental, epidemiologic and psychosocial research.

Another bill (S3817) passed today directs the state Department of Health (DOH) to create a website that provides information about important changes to women’s health policy and other resources in New York.

Recently enacted laws affecting public programs, insurance coverage and other aspects of health policy have resulted in increased coverage for 22 preventative services and the screening for certain diseases. The new DOH website and use of social media would help educate the public and raise awareness of the newly-covered health care services, provide links to useful resources, and encourage women to receive preventive services and screening.

Bill S3768 has also passed the Assembly and will be delivered to the Governor. Bill S3817 will be sent to the Assembly.  For more information, contact the office of Joe Robach. 

The New York State Senate, along with the support of Joe Robach, today passed bills that would continue to promote the construction of environmentally-friendly buildings and the cost-saving benefits of net metering for utility bills. Both bills are sponsored by Senator George D. Maziarz (R-C, Newfane), and would help reduce the consumption of limited natural resources, promote the use of renewable energy, and lower energy costs.    The first measure (S3977) would extend the state’s Green Residential Building Grant Program to continue encouraging the construction of environmentally-friendly buildings. “Green” construction includes improved environmental performance in site preparation, water efficiency, energy efficiency, building materials selection, and indoor environmental quality, relative to buildings that are built using typical construction practices. These features often result in a lower utility operating cost for the home over time.

The Green Residential Building Grant Program was created in 2008 and began offering incentives in 2010 based on standards set by the New York State Energy Development Research Authority (NYSERDA). As of September 2012, NYSERDA received 222 incentive applications, approved 188 for payment, and paid $1,016,293 in incentives to qualifying building owners. This bill would continue to offer the program through October 31, 2016.

“The Green Residential Building Grant Program implemented in 2008 has proven to work, both for ensuring the construction of greener building and for energy savings,” said Joe Robach (56th Senate District).  “The extension of this program will continue the important promotion of ‘green’ construction throughout this state, promoting improved environmental performance, such as energy and water efficiency.  Not only will the extension continue to put New York in the national spotlight for environmental and energy legislation, but it will provide cost savings to residential utility bills over time.”

The second measure (S4514) would help more farms, municipalities and other non-residential customers receive the cost-cutting benefits of remote net metering by clarifying an existing 2011 law. Net metering allows the owner of a renewable energy system to receive credit on their utility bill for any unused power supplied to the electric grid by the system. The credit then is used to offset the power that is taken from the grid when the customer – including those with multiple meters – consumes more energy than the system is generating.

Some utility companies had been placing arbitrary minimum load requirements for non-residential remote net metering customers who utilize multiple meters under the same account, even though the law did not specify minimums needing to be met. This measure prohibits utility companies from placing load requirement on these customers if they were otherwise qualified to receive the benefits of remote net metering.

The bills will be sent to the Assembly.  For more information on this or any other Senate initiative, contact the office of Joe Robach.

The New York State Senate, and Joe Robach, today passed a bill to prevent students from cheating by prohibiting the sale or purchase of dissertations, term papers, and similar academic documents online. This bill moved out of the Senate Higher Education Committee this month, which Joe Robach is a member, and then advance to the Senate floor this week. The legislation (S2405), supported by Joe Robach, would prevent academic fraud by discouraging Internet-based services from selling education or educational papers to students.

Most academic institutions have plagiarism policies in place whereby students who engage in such activity are punished. However, currently there is no New York State law that deters online entities from offering educational papers for sale.

This bill extends the current prohibition against the sale or purchase of “written” term papers and other documents provided for sale or purchase by including papers purchased through electronic media, such as the Internet. Students would still be able to access research information online, but sale or purchase of term papers, theses, or dissertations would be a violation punishable by a fine of up to $1,000.

The bill has been sent to the Assembly. For more information on this Senate bill or any other education initiative, contact the office of Joe Robach.

This week, Rochester Senator Joe Robach and his Senate colleagues responded to the renewed calls for vigilance and increased public safety following the tragic bombings in Boston and the foiling of a terrorist plot to attack a train traveling across the state between New York and Toronto, by passing a package of anti-crime legislation including a bill that would require convicted terrorists to serve their full prison sentence.

The Senate passed legislation (S4342) that would require convicted terrorists to serve their full prison sentences by making them ineligible for early release programs. In addition, the bill would also apply to individuals convicted of all homicide crimes, hate crimes, and major drug trafficking crimes.

The Senate passed legislation (S1018), sponsored by Senator Joe Robach , that would increase penalties for criminals who attempt robberies with devices appearing to be bombs or explosives. The bill would elevate the criminal charge from third degree to first or second degree robbery.

“If someone robs a bank by putting their hand in a pocket and pretending to have a gun, or by using a toy gun, that person is guilty of either a first or second degree robbery,” Senator Robach said. “But if that same person robs a bank and threatens to blow up the bank by displaying a device that appears to be a bomb, the person is only guilty of third degree robbery. That’s illogical because the threat of a bomb is every bit as serious, and arguably more serious, than the threat of a gun. This bill would correct this inequity in the law.”

The Senate approved the “Protect Our Children Act” (S1721A), sponsored by Senator Mark Grisanti which would create the new crime of aggravated murder of a child with a sentence of life in prison without parole. The bill is being passed during National Child Abuse Prevention Month, would expand an existing law of aggravated abuse of a child which makes it a crime when someone recklessly causes physical injury to a child under the age of 14.

The Senate approved legislation (S1456), sponsored by Senator John Flanagan, that changes the maximum age of a victim of Aggravated Assault of a Child from less than 11, to less than 14. Under existing law, a person is guilty of Aggravated Assault of a Child when the perpetrator is at least 18 years old and assaults someone less than 11 years old and has been previously convicted of the same crime within the preceding three years. In addition to increasing the age from 11 to 14, this bill would allow for any prior assault to serve as the predicate for this crime and expands the predicate time period from three to 10 years.

The Senate passed a bill (S4445A), sponsored by Senator Martin Golden, that would increase the penalty for aggravated assault against a police or a peace officer to life without parole when the person convicted has two prior serious violent felonies. Under current law, a persistent violent felony offender convicted of aggravated assault of a police officer (a class B felony) must only be sentenced to a minimum prison term between 20 and 25 years. This bill provides increased penalties for certain violent felony crimes committed against a police officer. It also states that a persistent violent felony offender convicted of aggravated assault on a police officer, would be sentenced to life without parole.

The Senate passed a bill (S3639), sponsored by Senator Thomas O’Mara, that would toughen criminal penalties for the manufacturing of methamphetamines and for the possession of materials used to make methamphetamines. The bill elevates penalties for every level of felony crime related to methamphetamine production, up to and including an A1 felony, punishable by between 15 to 25 years in prison. According to the United States Department of Justice, methamphetamine is one of the nation’s greatest drug threats. A recent department report noted that the drug is at its highest levels of availability and purity — and lowest cost — since 2005. That’s attributed to rising Mexican imports, but also because of increased small-scale domestic production.

The Senate passed a bill (S2458), sponsored by Senator Andrew Lanza making it a felony to recruit street gang members on school grounds. This legislation seeks to provide a safe haven for juveniles by making it more difficult for gang leaders to actively recruit and solicit children in and around schools.

Joe Robach, along with the New York State Senate, recently passed a package of legislation that would crack down on anyone participating in Organized Retail Crime.

Senate bill 2926-A, supported by Joe Robach, would allow any county in the state to prosecute someone who participates in a pattern of organized retail crimes when at least one of the offenses occurred within their jurisdiction.  These highly intelligent criminals are well aware of the jurisdictional limitations under current law and avoid committing multiple offenses in the same county to avoid harsher penalties.  This bill would give law enforcement officials another tool in curbing organized retail crime.

Senate bill 2927-A would increase the criminal penalties on anyone who uses fraudulent or counterfeit credit cards, account numbers, gift cards, or other devices to illegally gain access to money, goods, or services.  In addition to harming retailers, these offenses also harm honest consumers when their account numbers are stolen. This bill cracks down on these thieves by increasing the criminal penalties for retail theft to a Class A misdemeanor, Class E felony, or Class D felony.

Senate bill 2928 recognizes the fact that organized retail thieves have been known to hide in retail stores and wait for all employees to leave before removing large amounts of goods through emergency exits or by having a “get-away” car parked outside an emergency exit.  This bill would allow the courts to charge someone with grand larceny in the fourth degree for using an emergency exit in furtherance of organized retail crime.

Senate bill 2929 targets organized retail crime from the top by classifying the leading, organizing, supervising, financing or managing of an organized retail crime enterprise as a Class C felony.

Senate bill 2930 would create the new crime of “theft of retail merchandise with an aggregated value of $1,000,” and changes the Penal Law to define this crime as “grand larceny in the fourth degree.”

The bills were sent to the Assembly.  For more information on Senate initiatives, contact Joe Robach.

Joe Robach and the New York State Senate passed legislation, sponsored by Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick), to strengthen Leandra’s Law. The bill would ensure that offenders comply with the provision of the law requiring them to use ignition interlocks.

Joe Robach (56th Senate District) said “This legislation helps ensure that drunk drivers cannot skirt the law and get behind the wheel again. Leandra’s Law was passed to protect innocent people, particularly children, from becoming victims of repeat offenders. Unfortunately, many drunk drivers are finding ways around the law, and this bill will help stop that.”

Leandra’s Law was enacted in 2009 following the tragic death of 11 year-old Leandra Rosado, who was killed while riding in a car driven by her friend’s intoxicated mother. As part of Leandra’s Law, all convicted DWI offenders must install and use an ignition interlock in all vehicles they own or operate for a period of at least six months after their DWI conviction. Ignition interlocks are breath test devices linked to a vehicle’s ignition system which prevent the car from starting if alcohol is detected in the driver’s breath.

According to the most recent statistics from the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services, more than 70 percent of the over 37,000 DWI offenders statewide required to install an ignition interlock in their vehicles have failed to do so.

This bill closes loopholes and strengthens the law by requiring that offenders must install ignition interlocks on any car they own or the car they used to commit the DWI offense. Offenders would be required to install and maintain and interlock and could not drive without one. Additionally, offenders who do not own a car, or show cause for not installing an interlock would be required to instead wear an alcohol monitoring device, such as an ankle bracelet, which would detect whether or not the offender has been drinking alcohol. Offenders would also be prohibited from getting a driver’s license if they do not fulfill either the interlock of the alcohol monitoring device.

The bill was sent to the Assembly. For more information on this bill or any other Senate legislation, contact the office of Joe Robach.

Joe Robach and the New York State Senate today passed a bill that would require children under 8 years old not be left alone in a car without supervision of someone twelve or older when the conditions present a significant risk to the health and safety of a child. The legislation (S.306) is intended to keep young children safe when conditions, such as hot and cold weather, present a risk to safety of the child.

“Leaving a helpless child behind, alone, in a vehicle for any length of time is dangerous, period,” Joe Robach (Senate District 56). “We owe it to our children to hold irresponsible parents accountable.”

Between 1998 and 2004, more than 200 children died after being left in hot cars. Studies show that when outdoor temperatures reach between 70 and 96 degrees, the temperature inside a car can quickly rise more than 40 degrees in an hour. Cracking the windows has been shown to have little effect on the temperature inside a car.

Parents should be aware of the risks of leaving children alone in hot or cold cars, even for a short time. If parents or guardians knowingly leave their children alone in a car, they can be charged with a misdemeanor.

The bill was sent to the Assembly. For more information on this or any other Senate initiative, contact the Senate office of Joe Robach.

Joe Robach and his Senate office announced today that the New York Conference of Italian-American State Legislators, comprised of members of the Senate and Assembly, is now accepting applications for four $1,500 scholarships to be awarded June 10th at their Annual Legislative Conference Day.  Scholarship winners must be present to receive their awards.

“Given the high costs of college, every opportunity must be made by local students and their working families to meet their required expenses with scholarships as well as with student loans, available financial aid, and personal contributions,” said Joe Robach of the NYS Senate.  “I highly recommend that our area’s students apply to the Conference for these prestigious scholarships so that they may hopefully secure as much extra help with their expenses as possible.”

This year, the Italian-American State Legislators Conference will be awarding four $1,500 scholarships to four current or future college students from New York State.  Eligibility will be based upon the student’s grade point average, interest in pursuing a higher education, involvement in the local community as well as individual financial need.

The Conference is bipartisan organization of New York State Assembly and Senate members who are actively involved in promoting and celebrating the state’s Italian-American community. The Conference mission is to work hard to elevate and highlight Italian-American contributions to the State of New York and beyond, in all aspects of society, including literature, the arts, architecture and politics. The conference also tries to dispel negative stereotypes of Italian-Americans.

“Our conference is very proud of our role in promoting higher education and assisting students in reaching their academic goals and full potential for future success in the global marketplace,” Joe Robach continued.  “This year’s recipients will be invited to Albany to receive their scholarship awards in June.” Joe Robach was extremely proud that last year’s recipient was from the 56th Senate District.

Area students may request an application by contacting Joe Robach’s Senate office.

The New York State Senate today passed legislation, sponsored by Senate Majority Coalition Co-Leader Dean Skelos and supported by Joe Robach, that would increase criminal penalties for carjacking a vehicle when there is a child inside.

“Thefts of this nature not only traumatize children but place them at great risk of being physically harmed, either at the hands of the carjacker, by a stranger if the car is abandoned, or during a police chase,” Joe Robach (56th Senate District) said.  “This bill would give prosecutors more tools to go after any criminal who jeopardizes a child as part of a carjacking.”

Less than two weeks ago, a woman and her 10 year old daughter were abducted in a carjacking in the Onondaga County town of Clay.  David Renz, 29, is charged with killing the woman and raping the child.  The mother died of stab wounds and the child escaped the vehicle and was helped by a passing motorist.

“We must do everything that we can to protect our children by helping to take predators off the streets,” Senator John A. DeFrancisco (R-C-I, Syracuse), a co-sponsor of the bill, said. “Stiffer penalties may help to deter a criminal from actions like carjacking.  In the event that harsher penalties do not serve as a deterrent, the offenders would be behind bars for longer periods of time.”

The bill would make it a felony to carjack a vehicle with a child under the age of 16 in the vehicle.  The crime would be punishable by as much as 8 and 1/3rd to 25 years in prison.  For more information about this or any other Senate initiative, contact Joe Robach.

The New York State Senate today passed a package of bills, sponsored by Joe Robach, cracking down on rapists and sex offenders by creating new crimes and increasing penalties.

Legislation (S.1459) sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos (R, Rockville Centre) ensures significantly longer prison sentences for serial rapists. Under current law, it is possible for a judge to issue concurrent sentences for multiple counts arising from separate and distinct acts of rape. The legislation would require consecutive prison sentences for each separate count of first-degree rape when an individual is convicted of multiple counts, keeping dangerous felons off the streets for as long as possible.

“The crime of first-degree rape, one of horrific violence, is often repeated either against the same victim, or against several victims,” Senator Skelos said.   “Without this change, someone who commits two, three, more acts of rape can be sentenced as if they only committed one act.  It’s conceivable a rapist convicted of multiple counts could receive as little as five years in prison. That is unacceptable.”

The Senate also passed legislation, (S.2510) sponsored by Senator Joe Robach (R-C-I, Rochester), that creates new felony-level “Computer Sex Crimes”, which are offenses in which criminals use computers and the Internet to commit sex crimes against children under the age of 17. “As more and more children have technology readily available, especially computers, we need to do all we can to make sure they are secure,” said Senator Joe Robach. “Increasing penalties against those who prey on these vulnerable children will deter criminals from committing such crimes.” The anonymity that comes with using the Internet has made it easier for criminals to find their victims, especially children. These crimes also frequently involve individuals using a false identity in an effort to engage in sexual contact with minors. This bill also gives law enforcement additional tools to investigate these types of crimes.

Senator Skelos also sponsored a bill (S.1391) that increases the penalty for failure to register or report a change of address by a Level Three Sex Offender.

Currently, sex offenders who fail to register or report address changes only face a misdemeanor for the first offense. The penalty does not reach felony-level until a second offense. This bill punishes first-time offenders more harshly, and offenders would face a higher-level felony charge for subsequent offenses. Level Three Sex Offenders are considered to be the most dangerous and the most likely to repeat their crimes.

The Senate also acted on a bill that adds a new crime to protect children. The bill (S.988), sponsored by Senator Charles Fuschillo, Jr. (R, Merrick), creates the felony crime of endangering the welfare of a child if a person has previously been charged with child endangerment. Currently, the crime is a misdemeanor offense no matter how many times an individual has been charged with that crime in the past. “Repeat child endangerment offenders are individuals who have shown no regard for children’s safety time and time again,” said Senator Fuschillo.  “It makes no sense that current law does not allow these individuals to face enhanced penalties for repeatedly putting children directly into harm’s way. This legislation would correct that inequity and allow law enforcement to bring felony charges against repeat offenders who continually endanger children’s welfare.” This bill would ensure the safety of our children by taking into account when a person with a history of child abuse continues to commit these crimes, and toughens the penalties for them. These bills will be sent to the Assembly. For more information about these Senate initiatives, contact the office of Joe Robach.