TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2019                                                   2:41 P.M.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  THE HOUSE WILL COME

                    TO ORDER.

                                 IN THE ABSENCE OF CLERGY, LET US PAUSE FOR A MOMENT OF

                    SILENCE.

                                 (WHEREUPON, A MOMENT OF SILENCE WAS OBSERVED.)

                                 VISITORS ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE MEMBERS IN THE PLEDGE

                    OF ALLEGIANCE.

                                 (WHEREUPON, ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY LED VISITORS AND

                    MEMBERS IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.)

                                 A QUORUM BEING PRESENT, THE CLERK WILL READ THE

                    JOURNAL OF MONDAY, MAY 13TH.

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES:  MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE TO

                                          1



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    DISPENSE WITH THE FURTHER READING OF THE JOURNAL OF MAY THE 13TH AND

                    ASK THAT THE SAME STAND APPROVED.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO

                    ORDERED.

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES:  THANK YOU, MR.

                    SPEAKER.  I JUST HAD A REALLY KIND OF BRIEF CONVERSATION WITH OUR

                    SPEAKER HEASTIE AND -- AND IT OCCURRED TO ME THAT IT MIGHT BE THE

                    APPROPRIATE TIME TO USE A QUOTE FROM STAR TREK II:  THE WRATH OF KAHN.

                    THE QUOTE SAYS, MR. SPEAKER, "THE NEEDS OF THE MANY OUTWEIGH THE

                    NEEDS OF A FEW OR THE ONE."  THAT IS BY MR. SPOCK, MR. SPEAKER.

                    THANK YOU SO MUCH.

                                 IT IS NOW A PLEASURE TO MAKE OUR MEMBERS AWARE THAT

                    THERE IS A MAIN CALENDAR ON THE DESK AND AFTER WE HAVE DONE ANY

                    HOUSEKEEPING AND/OR INTRODUCTIONS, WE (INDICATING) --

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  I KNOW; IT'S DIFFICULT.

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES:  AFTER ANY INTRODUCTIONS

                    OR HOUSEKEEPING, WE WILL CONTINUE OUR CONSENT WITH NEW BILLS

                    BEGINNING WITH CALENDAR NO. 288, IT'S ON PAGE 24.  WE WILL ALSO BE

                    TAKING UP OUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PACKAGE TODAY, AS WELL AS TAKING UP

                    OTHER BILLS OFF THE MAIN CALENDAR ON DEBATE.  MEMBERS OF THE WAYS

                    AND MEANS COMMITTEE SHOULD BE PREPARED TO BE CALLED OFF THE FLOOR AT

                    SOME POINT TODAY.  AND FOR OUR MAJORITY MEMBERS, THERE WILL BE A

                    NEED FOR A DEMOCRATIC CONFERENCE AT THE END OF SESSION.  AND AS

                    ALWAYS, WE WILL CONSULT WITH OUR COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE

                                          2



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    AISLE TO SEE WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE.

                                 SO, THAT'S THE GENERAL OUTLINE, MR. SPEAKER.  IF THERE

                    ARE ANY INTRODUCTIONS OR HOUSEKEEPING, IT WOULD BE A GREAT TIME TO DO

                    IT.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  CERTAINLY.

                                 HOUSEKEEPING FIRST.

                                 ON A MOTION BY MR. ABINANTI, PAGE 14, CALENDAR NO.

                    178, BILL A.01370-A, AMENDMENTS ARE RECEIVED AND ADOPTED.

                                 FOR THE PURPOSES OF A [SIC] INTRODUCTION, MR. CROUCH.

                                 MR. CROUCH:  THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.  I HAVE THE

                    HONOR AND PRIVILEGE OF INTRODUCING A GROUP FROM MY DISTRICT TODAY,

                    THEY COME FROM THE GREENE CENTRAL SCHOOL.  IT'S SIX YOUNG LADIES THAT

                    ARE HERE TO LOOK AT GOVERNMENT, STUDY THE WAYS OF GOVERNMENT, AND

                    THEY ARE BEING SPONSORED HERE TODAY BY THE GREENE AMERICAN LEGION.

                    THE YOUNG LADIES THAT ARE PRESENT IS MAGGIE ROOSA, VALERIE

                    STRACQUADANIO - PROBABLY BUTCHERED THAT ONE - MAGGIE -- RENEE CLARK,

                    EMMA SMITH, RYLEE GOLLOGLY AND BRIANNA AUSTIN.  SO IF YOU WOULD,

                    MR. SPEAKER, PLEASE WELCOME THESE YOUNG LADIES AND THE GREENE

                    AMERICAN LEGION AND GIVE THEM THE COURTESIES OF THE HOUSE.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  CERTAINLY.  ON BEHALF

                    OF MR. CROUCH, THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE MEMBERS, WE WELCOME THESE

                    YOUNG STUDENTS HERE TO THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY, EXTEND TO YOU

                    THE PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR, HOPE THAT THIS EXPERIENCE OF LEARNING ABOUT

                    GOVERNMENT HERE IN ALBANY WILL BE BENEFICIAL TO YOU.  WE LOOK

                    FORWARD TO SEEING YOU BACK HERE AGAIN.  THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

                                          3



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                                 (APPLAUSE)

                                 MR. STERN FOR THE PURPOSES OF AN INTRODUCTION.

                                 MR. STERN:  THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.  AND FOR

                    MYSELF AND FOR OUR COLLEAGUE, ASSEMBLYMAN ANDREW RAIA, IT IS A

                    PLEASURE AND REALLY A PRIVILEGE TO WELCOME MICHELLE "ANGEL" ATHENAS

                    OF HUNTINGTON TO OUR CHAMBERS TODAY.  ANGEL IS A RECORD-BREAKING

                    FOUR-TIME GOLD MEDAL WINNING 2019 WORLD GAMES SPECIAL OLYMPIAN.

                                 (APPLAUSE)

                                 ANGEL WON FOUR GOLD MEDALS IN POWER LIFTING AT THE

                    2019 SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD GAMES IN ABU DHABI.  SHE WON GOLD

                    FOR BENCH PRESS, SQUAT, DEADLIFT AND FOR CUMULATIVE WEIGHT TOTAL.  PRIOR

                    TO THE SUCCESS OVERSEAS, ANGEL WON FOUR GOLD MEDALS IN POWER LIFTING

                    AT THE 2018 UNITED STATES SPECIAL OLYMPICS IN SEATTLE, AND SHE ALSO

                    BROKE THE WOMEN'S DEADLIFTING RECORD AT THE 2018 NEW YORK SPECIAL

                    OLYMPICS RIGHT HERE IN ALBANY.  ANGEL HAS OVERCOME MANY CHALLENGES

                    TO REACH HER INCREDIBLE SUCCESS AND HAS TRIUMPHED OVER AUTISM,

                    ADHD AND BIPOLAR DISORDER THROUGH THE LOVE AND SUPPORT OF HER

                    FAMILY, AND THE SERVICES AND CARE PROVIDED BY FAMILY RESIDENCE AND

                    ESSENTIAL ENTERPRISES, OR FREE, AN OUTSTANDING PROGRAM ON LONG

                    ISLAND THAT SUPPORTS 4,000 INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND

                    DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.  AND, MR. SPEAKER, I WOULD BE REMISS IF I

                    DID NOT MENTION JOHN PONCE, WHO HAS PLAYED SUCH AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN

                    ANGEL'S LIFE, WHO DISCOVERED HER PASSION FOR WEIGHTLIFTING IN HIGH

                    SCHOOL AND TRAINED SIX DAYS A WEEK FOR HOURS EACH DAY TO REACH HER

                    HIGHEST POTENTIAL.

                                          4



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                                 SHE'S ALSO A MODEL CITIZEN, VOLUNTEERING AT A LOCAL

                    HORSE STABLE, WITH ONE OF OUR LOCAL CHURCHES AND AIDING SENIORS AT

                    ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY.  ANGEL'S MADE HER MARK ON THE WORLD

                    THROUGH HER ENDLESS PERSEVERANCE AND IS A TRUE INSPIRATION TO US ALL.

                    SHE'S ACCOMPANIED TODAY, MR. SPEAKER, TO THE CHAMBER BY HER

                    PARENTS, GERI AND BOB.  PLEASE, MR. SPEAKER, WOULD YOU OFFER ALL OF THE

                    CORDIALITIES OF THE HOUSE AND THE PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR TO GOLD

                    MEDALIST AND WORLD CHAMPION ANGEL ATHENAS.

                                 (APPLAUSE)

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  CERTAINLY.  ON BEHALF

                    OF MR. STERN, MR. RAIA, THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE MEMBERS, ANGEL, WE

                    WELCOME YOU HERE TO THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY, EXTEND TO YOU THE

                    PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR.  ALSO EXTEND TO YOU OUR ADMIRATION FOR THE

                    WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE TO ACHIEVE ALL THESE LOFTY GOALS.  WE KNOW IT CAN

                    ONLY LEAD YOU TO GREATER AND BIGGER THINGS AS YOU PROCEED IN LIFE.  JUST

                    REMEMBER THAT YOU CAN DO IT.  THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.  WE'RE HAPPY

                    TO HAVE YOU.

                                 (APPLAUSE)

                                 MS. WALKER FOR AN INTRODUCTION.

                                 MS. WALKER:  THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.  TODAY,

                    MORE THAN 100 ADVOCATES FROM NEW YORK'S DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

                    PROGRAMS AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS HAVE TRAVELED ACROSS THIS

                    STATE TO COME TOGETHER TODAY.  THEY REPRESENT THE NEW YORK STATE

                    COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THEY'RE HERE TO EDUCATE

                    LEGISLATORS AND RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ISSUES.  THEY

                                          5



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    ARE HERE TO LET US KNOW THAT WHAT'S NEEDED AND HOW WE CAN BETTER

                    SUPPORT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

                                 WE ARE JOINED IN THE CHAMBER TODAY BY THE STAFF OF

                    THE NEW YORK STATE COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.  THE

                    COALITION SERVES AS THE FEDERALLY-DESIGNATED INFORMATION

                    CLEARINGHOUSE, PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT AND RESOURCE ON DOMESTIC

                    VIOLENCE FOR THE STATE OF NEW YORK.  IT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1978 AND

                    THE COALITION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF

                    POLICIES, PROTOCOLS AND PROCEDURES TO ENHANCE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

                    INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION AND TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND TECHNICAL

                    ASSISTANCE TO THE NETWORK OF PRIMARY PURPOSE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

                    SERVICE PROVIDERS STATEWIDE.

                                 I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME CONNIE NEAL, WHO IS THE

                    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW YORK STATE COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC

                    VIOLENCE, AND HER STAFF:  FRAN BIALY, CHAIR OF THE COALITION'S BOARD OF

                    DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF A NEW HOPE CENTER IN WESTERN

                    NEW YORK, AND KELLY COYNE, VICE CHAIR OF THE COALITION'S BOARD OF

                    DIRECTORS AND VICE PRESIDENT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS OF SAFE

                    HORIZONS IN NEW YORK CITY.  THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE WITH US TODAY

                    AND THANK YOU FOR REMINDING US HOW CRITICAL IT IS THAT WE REMEMBER

                    DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES.  WE MUST DO

                    EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO KEEP THEM SAFE AND ENSURE THAT NOT ONE

                    SURVIVOR IS TURNED AWAY FROM OBTAINING SERVICES.  PLEASE, MR. SPEAKER,

                    WELCOME TO THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.

                                 (APPLAUSE)

                                          6



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  THANK YOU SO MUCH.

                    ON BEHALF OF MS. WALKER, THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE MEMBERS, WE

                    WELCOME YOU HERE TO THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY, TO THE PEOPLE'S

                    HOUSE.  WE EXTEND TO YOU THE PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR, OUR GRATITUDE FOR

                    THE WORK THAT YOU DO TO HELP THOSE WHO CANNOT HELP THEMSELVES.  AND,

                    SIR, SHE PAID YOU A TRIBUTE BY KEEPING YOU IN WITH THE SISTERS.  THANK

                    YOU SO VERY MUCH.  HAPPY TO HAVE YOU.

                                 (APPLAUSE)

                                 MR. JACOBSON.

                                 MR. JACOBSON:  THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.  IT IS MY

                    PRIVILEGE AND HONOR TO INTRODUCE THE POUGHKEEPSIE HIGH SCHOOL

                    BASKETBALL TEAM, THE 2018-2019 CLASS A NEW YORK STATE CHAMPIONS.

                    THIS IS THE FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE SCHOOL SINCE 1995.  THEY BEAT

                    UNDEFEATED PITTSFORD MENDON 69-59 AND FINISHED WITH AN OVERALL 25-3

                    RECORD.  OUR -- JOINING THEM TODAY IS THEIR INCREDIBLE COACHING STAFF,

                    INCLUDING HEAD COACH CODY MOFFETT; ASSISTANT COACH JULIUS COX AND

                    DENNIS DEAN.  THE MEMBERS OF THE TEAM THAT ARE HERE TODAY ARE:

                    JAMAR CAMPBELL, JAMIK CARTER, JAVEL CHERRY, NIYAL GOINS, SHELVON

                    GRANT, JAHQUEL HARVARD, YANIQUE JACKSON, TREMELL REAVES, ANDREW

                    SMALL, DAVONTREY THOMPSON AND DENZEL WHEELER.  AND I THINK THAT

                    THE COACHES, WHILE THEY'RE VERY PROUD OF THIS HARD-WON CHAMPIONSHIP,

                    ARE JUST AS PROUD BECAUSE ALL OF THE SENIORS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED INTO

                    COLLEGE.

                                 (APPLAUSE)

                                 AND SO, MR. SPEAKER, WOULD YOU PLEASE WELCOME AND

                                          7



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    EXTEND THE COURTESIES OF THE HOUSE TO THE POUGHKEEPSIE HIGH SCHOOL

                    BASKETBALL TEAM.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  CERTAINLY.  ON BEHALF

                    OF MR. JACOBSON, THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE MEMBERS, WE WELCOME THIS

                    EXTRAORDINARY BASKETBALL TEAM HERE TO THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY,

                    EXTEND TO YOU THE PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR.  CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU

                    SENIORS.  IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT YOU CONTINUE YOUR EDUCATION, NO MATTER

                    WHERE BASKETBALL MIGHT TAKE YOU, THE EDUCATION WILL BE WITH YOU LONG

                    AFTER YOU STOP PLAYING.  PLEASE CONTINUE THAT.  FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE

                    JUNIORS AND SOPHOMORES, LEARN THAT LESSON.  STUDY, STAY STRONG AND PLAY

                    WELL.  THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

                                 (APPLAUSE)

                                 (PAUSE)

                                 MR. GOODELL FOR THE PURPOSES OF A [SIC] INTRODUCTION.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR.

                    SPEAKER.  IT IS MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE TO THE CHAMBER LIEUTENANT

                    SAM QUATTRONE.  MR. QUATTRONE, LIEUTENANT, IS STATIONED AT FORT DRUM

                    HERE IN NEW YORK STATE.  HE'S PART OF A GROUP OF SOLDIERS THAT ARE HERE

                    WITH A DEMONSTRATION IN THE WELL SO IF ANY OF YOU HAVEN'T THAT SEEN YET,

                    IT'S A GREAT DEMONSTRATION ON WHAT THEY CAN DO AND WHAT THEY -- THEIR

                    SERVICE THEY CAN PROVIDE DEFENDING ALL OF US IN THE GREAT STATE OF NEW

                    YORK.

                                 JUST A LITTLE BIT OF A PERSONAL SIDE, THOUGH, LIEUTENANT

                    QUATTRONE'S FATHER WAS JUST ELECTED AS THE NEW SHERIFF IN CHAUTAUQUA

                    COUNTY.  SO, UNFORTUNATELY FOR HIM, HE REALLY COULDN'T GET AWAY WITH

                                          8



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    THAT MUCH WHEN HE WAS GROWING UP, HE HAD TO KIND OF TOW THE LINE, BUT

                    HE CERTAINLY TURNED INTO A GREAT ASSET TO NOT ONLY CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY,

                    BUT TO OUR STATE AND COUNTRY, AS WELL.  SO IF YOU WOULD EXTEND THE

                    CORDIALITIES, I WOULD CERTAINLY APPRECIATE IT.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  CERTAINLY.  ON BEHALF

                    OF MR. GOODELL, THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE MEMBERS, LIEUTENANT, WE

                    WELCOME YOU HERE TO THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY, EXTEND TO YOU THE

                    PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR, AND ALSO TO ALL THE OTHER SOLDIERS WHO HAVE

                    JOINED YOU TODAY, WE ALWAYS APPRECIATE THE FORT DRUM EXHIBITION THAT

                    WE HAVE.  THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR SERVICE.  WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOU

                    SHARING WITH US AND CONTINUING TO PROTECT US AS WE GO ON.  THANK YOU

                    SO VERY MUCH.

                                 (APPLAUSE)

                                 (PAUSE)

                                 FOR PURPOSES OF A [SIC] INTRODUCTION, MR. PHILLIP

                    STECK.

                                 MR. STECK:  THANK YOU VERY MUCH MR. SPEAKER.

                    I'M VERY PLEASED TO WELCOME MADISON VANDENBURG.  I SEE A NUMBER OF

                    THE MEMBERS ALREADY KNOW WHO SHE IS.  SHE'S OUR HOMETOWN SENSATION

                    FROM THE SHAKER HIGH SCHOOL IN THE TOWN OF COLONIE WHO, ALONG WITH

                    100,000 OTHER HOPEFULS, AUDITIONED FOR AMERICAN IDOL BACK IN OCTOBER

                    2018.  SINCE THEN, SHE HAS MADE IT THROUGH THE MANY ELIMINATION

                    ROUNDS AND IS NOW A FINALIST ALONG WITH TWO OTHER HOPEFULS.  MADISON

                    IS JOINED TODAY BY HER DAD, SKIP VANDENBURG, AND SISTER, TAYLOR

                    VANDENBURG.  ALTHOUGH I MUST CONFESS I AM NOT AN AVID IDOL FAN, I'VE

                                          9



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    BEEN WATCHING MADISON VERY, VERY CLOSELY.  I WAS DRAWN TO HER

                    PERFORMANCES WHEN ATTENDING A VIEWING EVENT AT SHAKER HIGH SCHOOL,

                    AND MY FAVORITE PERFORMANCE WAS HER RENDITION OF "I SURRENDER" BY

                    CELINE DION, SHE REALLY KILLED IT.  AND I FEEL IT PROPELLED HER INTO THE

                    POSITION SHE IS NOW, ALTHOUGH I KNOW THAT SHE'S A HUGE FAN OF PAT

                    BENATAR, AND I WAS ALSO VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE COVERS OF

                    "HEARTBREAKER" AND "WE BELONG".

                                 MADISON BEGAN HER PERFORMING CAREER -- YOU KNOW,

                    WE DID NOT HAVE HER DOWN AT THE KARAOKE LAST NIGHT, I THINK SHE WOULD

                    HAVE PUT US ALL QUITE TO SHAME.  SHE BEGAN HER PERFORMING CAREER AT THE

                    AGE OF 8 YEARS OLD.  SHE LEARNED HOW TO PLAY BOTH THE PIANO AND SING AT

                    THE SAME TIME.  MADISON ADDED ON GUITAR AT AGE TEN.  BY THE TIME SHE

                    WAS 12, SHE WAS PLAYING TO CROWDS OF HUNDREDS, AND AT AGE 15 STARTED

                    PLAYING IN LOCAL CLUBS.  LATER TODAY, THERE WILL BE A PARADE AND

                    PERFORMANCE IN MADISON'S HONOR AT THE CROSSINGS OF COLONIE, OUR

                    LARGE TOWN PARK IN THE MIDDLE OF TOWN; I WISH THE WEATHER WOULD BE A

                    LITTLE BIT MORE COOPERATIVE.  THEN, IT IS BACK TO HOLLYWOOD FOR

                    MADISON.  I WISH HER THE BEST OF LUCK IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.  I KNOW

                    THAT NEW YORK STATE WILL BE ROOTING FOR YOU, AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH

                    FOR PUTTING THE TOWN OF COLONIE ON THE ENTERTAINMENT MAP.

                                 (APPLAUSE)

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  ON BEHALF OF MR.

                    PHILLIP STECK, THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE MEMBERS, MADISON, WE WELCOME

                    YOU HERE TO THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY.  WE EXTEND TO YOU THE

                    PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR, YOU AND YOUR FATHER.  WE ARE SO VERY PROUD OF

                                         10



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    YOU.  WE WISH YOU SO MUCH SUCCESS IN YOUR ENDEAVORS, BUT NO MATTER

                    WHAT HAPPENS, YOU PUT A SHINE ON THE CAPITAL AREA AND WE HOPE YOU

                    WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.  THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR

                    TALENT.

                                 (APPLAUSE)

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES:  RESOLUTIONS.  MR.

                    SPEAKER, IF WE CAN NOW GO TO RESOLUTIONS ON PAGE 3.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  CERTAINLY.  THE CLERK

                    WILL READ RESOLUTIONS.


                                 THE CLERK:  ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 389, MS.

                    WALKER.

                                 LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

                    ANDREW M. CUOMO TO PROCLAIM MAY 14, 2019, AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

                    AWARENESS PREVENTION DAY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  MS. WALKER ON THE

                    RESOLUTION.

                                 MS. WALKER:  THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  ONE MINUTE.  LET'S LET

                    THEM SETTLE DOWN, MS. WALKER.

                                 PROJECT, AND WE CAN MAKE IT THROUGH.

                                 MS. WALKER:  OKAY.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  THANK YOU.

                                 MS. WALKER:  THANK YOU.  AND THANK YOU -- A VERY

                    SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR SERGEANT-AT-ARMS, AS WELL, FOR ALLOWING THE

                    PROPER MODE AND MOOD TO BE SET HERE AS WE EMBARK ON THIS VERY

                                         11



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    IMPORTANT RESOLUTION.  I AM REMINDED OF A DEAR FRIEND OF MINE WHOSE

                    LIFE WE LOST VERY RECENTLY, ERICA RENAUD.  ERICA WAS A BROOKLYNITE, A

                    SISTER, A FRIEND, AN AUNTIE AND A LOVER OF ALL THINGS MUSIC.

                    UNFORTUNATELY, SHE FELL IN LOVE WITH A MAN WHOSE LOVE KNEW NO LIMIT.

                    AND WHEN IT WASN'T POSSIBLE FOR HIM TO CARRY ON HIS LOVE WITH ERICA, HE

                    TOOK HER LIFE IN A BROOKLYN APARTMENT AND THEN ATTEMPTED TO TAKE HIS

                    OWN, BUT THAT WASN'T ABLE TO BE ACCOMPLISHED.  AND WE RECOGNIZE THAT

                    TODAY, ERICA IS ONE OF MANY OTHER WOMEN ACROSS OUR STATE WHO ARE

                    VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SOME LETHALLY, SOME DEADLY, AND SOME

                    ARE STILL LIVING WITH THIS MONSTER RIGHT NOW.

                                 EVERY MINUTE, 24 PEOPLE ARE VICTIMS OF RAPE, PHYSICAL

                    VIOLENCE OR STALKING BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER IN THE UNITED STATES.  THIS

                    MEANS MORE THAN 12 MILLION PEOPLE EACH YEAR EXPERIENCE VIOLENCE

                    FROM AN INTIMATE PARTNER.  FURTHER, ONE-IN-FOUR WOMEN AND

                    ONE-IN-SEVEN MEN OVER THE AGE OF 18 WILL EXPERIENCE PHYSICAL VIOLENCE

                    BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER IN THEIR LIFETIME.  MORE ALARMING, NEW YORK HAS

                    HAD THE GREATEST DEMAND FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES FOR THREE YEARS

                    IN A ROW.  IN A NATIONAL CENSUS PERFORMED EACH YEAR BY THE NATIONAL

                    NETWORK TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 7,148 SURVIVORS IN NEW YORK

                    REQUESTED SERVICES IN JUST ONE DAY IN 2017, THE MOST RECENT YEAR DATA IS

                    AVAILABLE.

                                 WE KNOW THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DOES NOT

                    DISCRIMINATE.  A PERSON OF ANY RACE, AGE, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION,

                    INCOME AND OCCUPATION CAN EXPERIENCE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.  ANYONE

                    CAN BE A VICTIM.  SO, TODAY, WE ARE PROUDLY PRESENTING TO YOU A RESA --

                                         12



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    A RESOLUTION, PROCLAIMING MAY 14TH AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS

                    AND PREVENTION DAY, AWARENESS BECAUSE WE HAVE TO REMAIN AWARE OF

                    THE THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS ACROSS OUR STATE WHO EXPERIENCE INTIMATE

                    PARTNER VIOLENCE EACH AND EVERY DAY, WHO LIVE IN FEAR FOR THEIR LIVES OR

                    THE LIVES OF THEIR CHILDREN, WHO ARE CONTROLLED BY THEIR PARTNERS, WHO

                    MUST REMAIN WITH ABUSERS IN ORDER TO PUT FOOD ON THEIR TABLE OR TO

                    AVOID HOMELESSNESS; AND PREVENTION, BECAUSE PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH

                    HAS SHOWN THAT THE USE OF PREVENTION STRATEGIES AT MULTIPLE LEVELS FROM

                    INDIVIDUAL TO COMMUNAL SOCIETY WILL LEAD TO SOCIAL CHANGE.  PREVENTION

                    STRATEGIES CAN CHANGE SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY NORMS TO PROMOTE HEALTHY

                    AND EQUITABLE BEHAVIOR.

                                 THESE STRATEGIES ARE NOT THE ONLY WAY TO STOP DOMESTIC

                    VIOLENCE FROM OCCURRING IN THE FIRST PLACE.  NEW YORK'S DOMESTIC

                    VIOLENCE PROGRAMS ARE ON THE FRONT LINES OF THIS SOCIETAL SHIFT BY

                    PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE, LIFE-SAVING SERVICES AND CRITICAL SUPPORT TO

                    SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.  AND LASTLY, JUST THINK ABOUT THAT FOR A

                    MOMENT.  LET THAT SINK IN.  AS WE'VE ALREADY INDICATED, MORE THAN

                    7,100 WOMEN AND MEN HAVE MADE PHONE CALLS TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

                    HOTLINES ON ONE DAY IN NEW YORK -- IN 2017.  WHY?  BECAUSE THEY

                    NEEDED HELP.  NOW, THINK ABOUT WHAT COULD HAPPEN TO THOSE 7,100

                    INDIVIDUALS IF HELP WASN'T AVAILABLE.  WELL, THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED TO 852

                    OF THEM.  TWELVE PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE WHO CALLED THE HOTLINE WERE

                    TOLD THAT THE SERVICES THEY WERE ASKING FOR, THE SERVICES THAT THEY

                    NEEDED WERE NOT AVAILABLE.  AND WHY NOT?

                                 SO TOGETHER, AS A LEGISLATURE, WE HAVE TO DO BETTER.

                                         13



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    WE WILL DO BETTER.  THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

                                 (APPLAUSE)

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  ON THE RESOLUTION, ALL

                    THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED, NO.  THE RESOLUTION IS

                    ADOPTED.

                                 (APPLAUSE)


                                 THE CLERK:  ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 390, MR.

                    BENEDETTO.

                                 LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

                    ANDREW M. CUOMO TO PROCLAIM MAY 14TH, 2019, AT CHILDHOOD

                    APRAXIA OF SPEECH AWARENESS DAY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  ON THE RESOLUTION, ALL

                    THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED, NO.  THE RESOLUTION IS

                    ADOPTED.


                                 THE CLERK:  ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 391, MR.

                    BLANKENBUSH.

                                 LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

                    ANDREW M. CUOMO TO PROCLAIM MAY 14TH, 2019, AS 10TH MOUNTAIN

                    DIVISION AND FORT DRUM DAY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  ON THE RESOLUTION, ALL

                    THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED, NO.  THE RESOLUTION IS

                    ADOPTED.


                                 THE CLERK:  ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 392, MR.

                    CYMBROWITZ.

                                 LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR M.

                                         14



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    CUOMO TO PROCLAIM MAY 2019, AS STROKE AWARENESS MONTH IN THE

                    STATE OF NEW YORK.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  ON THE RESOLUTION, ALL

                    THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED, NO.  THE RESOLUTION IS

                    ADOPTED.


                                 THE CLERK:  ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 393, MR.

                    BYRNE.

                                 LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

                    ANDREW M. CUOMO TO PROCLAIM MAY 2019, AS WATER SAFETY

                    AWARENESS MONTH IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  ON THE RESOLUTION, ALL

                    THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED, NO.  THE RESOLUTION IS

                    ADOPTED.

                                 MS. --  I'M SORRY.  MR. BYRNE ON THE RESOLUTION.

                                 MR. BYRNE:  I RISE TODAY JUST TO SPEAK ON THIS

                    RESOLUTION TO HELP RAISE AWARENESS FOR THE NEED FOR BOATER AND WATER

                    SAFETY THROUGHOUT OUR STATE.  THIS RESOLUTION, I FIRST INTRODUCED IT A

                    COUPLE OF YEARS BACK AFTER SPEAKING TO ONE OF THE OWNERS OF A LOCAL

                    MARINA AROUND LAKE MAHOPAC.  IT WAS ALSO A COUPLE OF YEARS AFTER OUR

                    COMMUNITY LOST A 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL TO A DROWNING IN THE LAKE.

                                 AND A LOT OF FOLKS MAY NOT UNDERSTAND OR -- OR REALIZE

                    THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS ISSUE.  ACCORDING TO THE CENTER FOR DISEASE

                    CONTROL, THE CDC, ABOUT TEN PEOPLE DIE FROM DROWNINGS EVERY -- EVERY

                    DAY, AND ONE OUT OF FIVE PEOPLE WHO DIE FROM THOSE DROWNINGS ARE

                    CHILDREN 14 YEARS AND YOUNGER.  SO, IT'S IMPORTANT TO RAISE AWARENESS

                                         15



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    FOR WATER SAFETY, FOR BOATER SAFETY, SWIMMING IN DESIGNATED AREAS WITH

                    LIFEGUARDS, WEARING PFDS, LIFEJACKETS, PRESERVERS, BUT ALSO FOR US AS

                    LEGISLATORS JUST TO RAISE AWARENESS AND -- AND PROMOTE THINGS LIKE WATER

                    SAFETY COURSES.  I KNOW I'M PARTNERING WITH ONE OF MY LOCAL SHERIFFS IN

                    PUTNAM COUNTY DOING A BOATER SAFETY COURSE LATER IN JUNE.  AND THE --

                    THE MORE WE DO TO RAISE AWARENESS ON THIS INITIATIVE IS JUST BETTER FOR

                    EVERYBODY.

                                 I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR SUPPORTING THIS

                    RESOLUTION.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  THANK YOU, MR.

                    BYRNE.

                                 ON THE RESOLUTION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING

                    AYE; OPPOSED, NO.  THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.

                                 MR. DINOWITZ FOR THE PURPOSES OF A [SIC] INTRODUCTION.

                                 MR. DINOWITZ:  THANKS, MR. SPEAKER.  I AM VERY

                    PLEASED TO INTRODUCE SOME OF THE LEADERS OF THE NEW YORK STATE -- THE

                    WOMEN'S BAR ASSOCIATION OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.  THEY ARE

                    DEDICATED TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN IN LAW AND SOCIETY.  ITS

                    MEMBERS INCLUDE JUDGES, ATTORNEYS AND LAW STUDENTS, AND THEY HAVE 20

                    CHAPTERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF NEW YORK, INCLUDING A STRONG LOCAL

                    PRESENCE.  AND ON THE STATEWIDE LEVEL, THEY SPEAK AS ONE VOICE FOR

                    EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND GENDER EQUITY.  THEY SUPPORT THE RIGHTS OF

                    WOMEN AND GIRLS WORLDWIDE.  THEY IMPACT -- THEIR IMPACT WITH RESPECT

                    TO THE ISSUES OF STATEWIDE, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE TO

                    WOMEN HAVE PROVEN THEM TO BE LEADERS IN LAW AND POLICY WITH A LONG

                                         16



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    AND HONORED ROLE OF MAKING LIKE BETTER FOR WOMEN WORLDWIDE.

                                 THE ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN IN THE FOREFRONT OF CHANGING

                    LAWS IN THE AREAS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ACHIEVING EQUITY IN

                    MARRIAGE DISSOLUTION, IN ACHIEVING FAIRNESS IN CUSTODY DECISIONS AND

                    THE INITIATIVE AGAINST CRIMES OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE, AND AGAINST SEXUAL

                    DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT.  AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO BE IN THE

                    FOREFRONT OF MAKING POLICY ON ISSUES AFFECTING WOMEN, CHILDREN AND

                    FAMILY.  AND THEIR LEADERSHIP HAS HAD A PROFOUND AND LASTING IMPACT ON

                    OUR STATE.

                                 SO, MR. SPEAKER, IF YOU WOULD GIVE THEM A VERY WARM

                    WELCOME, I WOULD MOST APPRECIATE IT.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  CERTAINLY.  ON BEHALF

                    OF MR. DINOWITZ, THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE MEMBERS, WE WELCOME THIS

                    DISTINGUISHED WOMEN -- GROUP OF WOMEN FROM THE BAR ASSOCIATION

                    HERE TO THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY.  WE EXTEND TO YOU THE

                    PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR.  WE COMMEND YOU ON THE WORK THAT YOU'RE

                    DOING.  CONTINUE THAT GREAT WORK.  YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME HERE.

                    THIS IS THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.  THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

                                 (APPLAUSE)

                                 MR. GOODELL.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR.

                    SPEAKER.  ON BEHALF OF ASSEMBLYMAN STEVE HAWLEY, IT'S MY PLEASURE

                    TO INTRODUCE TO US THE KENDALL JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO

                    ARE VISITING ALBANY TODAY.  THEY ARE UP THERE IN THE BALCONY.  THEY'RE

                    ACCOMPANIED BY THEIR PRINCIPAL, KEVIN WATSON; THEIR NURSE, BETHANY

                                         17



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    MASON, AND A COUPLE OF TEACHERS AND CHAPERONES, CAITLYN CURTIS AND

                    JESS PARIZEK.  IF YOU WOULD EXTEND THE COURTESIES OF OUR HOUSE TO THE

                    KENDALL JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO ARE HERE AS GUESTS OF

                    ASSEMBLYMAN STEVE HAWLEY.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  CERTAINLY.  ON BEHALF

                    OF ASSEMBLYMAN HAWLEY, THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE MEMBERS, WE

                    WELCOME THESE DISTINGUISHED STUDENTS HERE TO THE NEW YORK STATE

                    ASSEMBLY, EXTEND TO YOU THE PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR, HOPE THAT YOU

                    HAVE ENJOYED YOUR TRIP, HOPE THAT YOU HAVE ENJOYED THE PROCEEDINGS

                    THAT YOU'VE SEEN, CONTINUE TO GROW AND COME BACK AND VISIT US OFTEN.

                    THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.  AND THANK YOU FOR BOTH TEACHERS AND

                    PARENTS WHO'VE ACCOMPANIED YOU.  THANK YOU.

                                 (APPLAUSE)

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES:  THANK YOU, MR.

                    SPEAKER.  IF WE CAN NOW GO TO PAGE 24 AND BEGIN OUR WORK ON

                    CALENDAR NO. 281, LEGISLATION THAT IS SPONSORED BY MR. ABINANTI.

                                 MR. SPEAKER, WE'RE GOING TO --

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  SHH.  LADIES AND

                    GENTLEMEN, PLEASE.

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES:  IF WE COULD -- MY

                    APOLOGIES.  IF WE COULD GO TO CALENDAR NO. 288, MR. DINOWITZ.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  THE CLERK WILL READ,

                    CALENDAR NO. 288.


                                 THE CLERK:  ASSEMBLY NO. A03534, CALENDAR NO.

                                         18



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    288, DINOWITZ, M. G. MILLER, ABINANTI, WEPRIN, COLTON.  AN ACT TO

                    AMEND THE JUDICIARY LAW AND THE LABOR LAW, IN RELATION TO CREATING

                    ADDITIONAL REMEDIES FOR UNLAWFUL DISCHARGE, PENALTY OR DISCRIMINATION

                    ON ACCOUNT OF THE EXERCISE OF A JUROR'S RIGHT TO BE ABSENT FROM

                    EMPLOYMENT FOR JURY DUTY.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  THE BILL IS LAID ASIDE.


                                 THE CLERK:  ASSEMBLY NO. A03918, CALENDAR NO.

                    289, MCDONALD, D'URSO, BRAUNSTEIN, WILLIAMS, SEAWRIGHT, COOK,

                    CAHILL, RIVERA, ARROYO, BLANKENBUSH, RAIA, RA, LAWRENCE, MORINELLO,

                    GOTTFRIED, BLAKE, FAHY, OTIS, HAWLEY, TAYLOR, SAYEGH, ASHBY,

                    PICHARDO, SMULLEN, WALCZYK, STIRPE.  AN ACT TO AMEND THE PUBLIC

                    HEALTH LAW AND THE EDUCATION LAW, IN RELATION TO THE DISPENSING OF

                    PARTIALLY FILLED PRESCRIPTIONS.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  READ THE LAST SECTION.

                                 THE CLERK:  THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT JANUARY 1ST.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  THE CLERK WILL RECORD

                    THE VOTE.

                                 (THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES:  MR. SPEAKER, COLLEAGUES,

                    THIS IS OUR FIRST VOTE OF TODAY.  IF MEMBERS COULD -- ARE IN AND AROUND

                    THE CHAMBERS, IF YOU COULD PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE WITH SOME QUICKNESS,

                    WE CAN MOVE ON TO OUR -- THE NEXT ITEM ON OUR AGENDA.  AGAIN, THIS IS

                    THE FIRST VOTE OF THE DAY, MR. SPEAKER.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  FIRST VOTE OF THE DAY,

                                         19



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    MEMBERS.  PLEASE COME IN THE CHAMBER AND VOTE.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER PICHARDO:  ARE THERE ANY

                    OTHER VOTES?  ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

                                 (THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

                                 THE BILL IS PASSED.

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES:  MR. SPEAKER, IF YOU

                    COULD PLEASE CALL THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE TO THE SPEAKER'S

                    CONFERENCE ROOM.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER PICHARDO:  WAYS AND

                    MEANS, SPEAKER'S CONFERENCE ROOM, THE CHAIRWOMAN IS ON HER WAY

                    AND EAGERLY WAITING FOR MEMBERS TO ATTEND.

                                 THE CLERK WILL READ.


                                 THE CLERK:  ASSEMBLY NO. A03972, CALENDAR NO.

                    290, AUBRY, JAFFEE, BRONSON, WEPRIN, DE LA ROSA.  AN ACT TO AMEND

                    THE EXECUTIVE LAW, IN RELATION TO REQUIRING EMPLOYERS TO MAKE A

                    CONDITIONAL OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT BEFORE INQUIRING ABOUT ANY CRIMINAL

                    CONVICTIONS OF A PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEE.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER PICHARDO:  THE BILL IS LAID

                    ASIDE.


                                 THE CLERK:  ASSEMBLY NO. A04064, CALENDAR NO.

                    291, HYNDMAN, WILLIAMS, TAYLOR, RIVERA, DICKENS, D'URSO, MOSLEY,

                    GOTTFRIED, MONTESANO, LAWRENCE, GALEF, STECK, RAIA, ARROYO, WALLACE,

                    STIRPE.  AN ACT TO AMEND THE EDUCATION LAW, IN RELATION TO REGISTERED

                    DENTAL ASSISTING.

                                         20



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                                 ACTING SPEAKER PICHARDO:  READ THE LAST

                    SECTION.

                                 THE CLERK:  THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER PICHARDO:  THE CLERK WILL

                    RECORD THE VOTE.

                                 (THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

                                 ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES?  ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

                                 (THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

                                 THE BILL IS PASSED.

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES:  MR. SPEAKER, IF WE CAN

                    BEGIN OUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PACKAGE NOW.  I'M GOING TO ASK IF WE

                    CAN START AT CALENDAR NO. 58, WHICH IS THE ZEBROWSKI BILL.  THEN WE'RE

                    GOING TO GO TO CALENDAR NO. 63 BY MR. LAVINE, AND THEN CALENDAR NO.

                    67 BY MS. PAULIN.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER PICHARDO:  THE CLERK WILL

                    READ.


                                 THE CLERK:  ASSEMBLY NO. A01945, CALENDAR NO.

                    58, ZEBROWSKI, GALEF, CAHILL, COLTON, ABBATE, GUNTHER, M.G. MILLER,

                    SEAWRIGHT, BICHOTTE, BRONSON, OTIS, WEPRIN, WALLACE, CRUZ, JAFFEE,

                    GRIFFIN.  AN ACT TO AMEND THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES, IN RELATION

                    TO ESTABLISHING A TIME PERIOD IN WHICH AN ACTION TO RECOVER DAMAGES

                    FOR INJURY ARISING FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MUST BE BROUGHT.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER PICHARDO:  READ THE LAST

                    SECTION.

                                         21



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                                 THE CLERK:  THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER PICHARDO:  THE CLERK WILL

                    RECORD THE VOTE.

                                 (THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

                                 MR. ZEBROWSKI TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.

                                 MR. ZEBROWSKI:  THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

                                 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AS WE HEARD EARLIER IN THE

                    ELOQUENT EXPLANATION AROUND OUR RESOLUTION, CAN BE A CRIME THAT

                    COMPLETELY UPENDS A PERSON'S LIFE.  FROM HOUSING TO CHILD ISSUES, THE --

                    THE ALL-ENCOMPASSING NATURE OF THESE CRIMES IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED

                    TO LOOK AT ALL OF OUR LAWS.  WHAT THIS BILL WOULD DO WOULD BE TO EXTEND

                    THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS BY WHICH A VICTIM CAN SUE THEIR ABUSER FROM

                    ONE YEAR TO TWO YEARS, THEREBY GIVING SOMEBODY THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET

                    THEIR LIFE IN ORDER, TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF SERVICES, TO GET NEW HOUSING,

                    TO DEAL WITH CHILD ISSUES, TO DEAL WITH ALL THE ISSUES THAT SOMEBODY HAS

                    TO DEAL WITH WHEN, UNFORTUNATELY, THEY'RE DEALING WITH ONE OF THESE

                    CIRCUMSTANCES.  THAT OFTENTIMES CAN TAKE SIX MONTHS, EIGHT MONTHS,

                    TEN MONTHS OR A YEAR.  THIS WOULD THEN ALLOW THEM TO ASSESS THEIR

                    SITUATION AND, IF POSSIBLE, SUE THEIR ABUSER IN CIVIL COURT.  THIS WOULD

                    DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO A VICTIM.  I'LL BE

                    VOTING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE AND I WOULD ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN ME.

                    THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER PICHARDO:  MR. ZEBROWSKI IN

                    THE AFFIRMATIVE.

                                 ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES?  ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

                                         22



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                                 (THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

                                 THE BILL IS PASSED.

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES:  MR. SPEAKER, I NEED TO

                    INTERRUPT THE CEREMONIES FOR ONE -- PROCEDURES, RATHER, FOR ONE MOMENT

                    TO INTRODUCE A GROUP OF VERY SUPERSMART YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE IN OUR

                    CHAMBERS ABOVE YOU.  THEY ARE THE NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY

                    FROM ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK, THE WEST VALLEY -- THE VALLEY

                    CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL.  AND THEY INCLUDE TWO STUDENTS THAT ARE

                    RELATIVES OF ONE OF THE GREAT STAFFERS HERE IN OUR CHAMBERS, ANGELINA

                    AND ISABELLA VARGAS.  WOULD YOU PLEASE WELCOME THEM TO OUR

                    CHAMBERS ON BEHALF OF THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE MEMBERS AND, OF

                    COURSE, THEIR DAD, HOWARD, AS WELL.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER PICHARDO:  CERTAINLY.  ON

                    BEHALF OF MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES, THE SPEAKER, ALL THE MEMBERS, AND TO

                    THE VARGAS KIDS, WE WELCOME YOU HERE TO THE NEW YORK STATE

                    ASSEMBLY.  WE EXTEND TO YOU THE PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR.  FAMILY IS

                    ALWAYS WELCOME HERE IN THE CHAMBER.  YOU ARE ALWAYS EXTENDED THE

                    PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR AND THE COURTESIES OF THE HOUSE.  WELCOME

                    BACK.  COME BACK AGAIN AND CONTINUE TO BE SHINING EXAMPLES AND

                    YOUNG LEADERS FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND FOR OUR STATE.  THANK YOU SO

                    VERY MUCH.

                                 (APPLAUSE)

                                 THE CLERK WILL READ.


                                 THE CLERK:  ASSEMBLY NO. A02850-A, CALENDAR

                                         23



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    NO. 63, LAVINE, OTIS, CRESPO, FAHY, WALKER, BRONSON, RICHARDSON,

                    BICHOTTE, M.G. MILLER, GRIFFIN, FERNANDEZ.  AN ACT TO AMEND THE PUBLIC

                    HEALTH LAW, IN RELATION TO HOSPITAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE POLICES AND

                    PROCEDURES.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER PICHARDO:  READ THE LAST

                    SECTION.

                                 THE CLERK:  THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT JANUARY 1ST.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER PICHARDO:  THE CLERK WILL

                    RECORD THE VOTE.

                                 (THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

                                 MR. GOODELL FOR AN INTRODUCTION.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR.

                    SPEAKER, FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERRUPT OUR PROCEEDINGS.

                    MR. SPEAKER, I'D LIKE THE OPPORTUNITY AFTER WE CLOSE THIS VOTE TO MAKE

                    AN INTRODUCTION, IF I MAY, SIR.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER PICHARDO:  I APOLOGIZE, WE

                    ARE EXPERIENCING SOME TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES.  BUT WITH THAT BEING

                    SAID...

                                 ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES?  ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

                                 (THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

                                 THE BILL IS PASSED.

                                 LET'S TRY THIS AGAIN.  MR. GOODELL FOR AN INTRODUCTION.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.  I --

                                 ACTING SPEAKER PICHARDO:  MY PLEASURE.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  -- I DIDN'T WANT TO INTERRUPT OUR

                                         24



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    VOTE ON THAT IMPORTANT BILL.  BUT ON BEHALF OF ASSEMBLYMAN SCHMITT,

                    IT'S MY GREAT PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE JOHN KUNZWEILER, AND JANE, HIS

                    MOTHER.  JOHN IS A VERY IMPRESSIVE INDIVIDUAL.  HE'S GRADUATING WITH A

                    BACHELOR OF ARTS IN SCIENCE FOCUSING ON HUMAN BIOLOGY FROM SUNY

                    ALBANY, CLASS OF 2019, SO HE'S JUST FINISHING UP ONE PHASE OF HIS LIFE

                    AND LOOKING FORWARD TO GOING ON AS AN INTERN AT MEMORIAL SLOAN

                    KETTERING, AND THEN AFTERWARDS TO DO SOME MEDICAL RESEARCH, HOPEFULLY

                    IN AUSTRALIA.  SO, IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND WELCOMING A VERY IMPRESSIVE

                    YOUNG MAN AND HIS MOTHER TO OUR CHAMBER, I'D APPRECIATE IT.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER PICHARDO:  CERTAINLY.  ON

                    BEHALF OF MR. SCHMITT, THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE MEMBERS, JOHN, WE

                    WELCOME YOU AND YOUR MOTHER HERE TO THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY.

                    WE EXTEND TO YOU THE PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR.  GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR

                    STUDIES.  COLLEGE WAS A FUN TIME, YOU KNOW, NOW YOU'RE AN ADULT, SO,

                    SORRY ABOUT THAT.  BUT, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE ALWAYS WELCOME BACK TO COME

                    BY ANY TIME.  GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR REST OF YOUR STUDIES, GOOD LUCK WITH

                    YOUR CAREER AND GOOD LUCK DOWN UNDER.  TAKE CARE, SIR, AND THANK YOU

                    SO MUCH.

                                 (APPLAUSE)

                                 THE CLERK WILL READ.


                                 THE CLERK:  ASSEMBLY NO. A00219-A, CALENDAR

                    NO. 67, PAULIN, BLAKE, DINOWITZ, GALEF, JAFFEE, M.G. MILLER, L.

                    ROSENTHAL, ZEBROWSKI, CROUCH, RAIA, OTIS, SCHMITT, JACOBSON, D'URSO,

                    GRIFFIN.  AN ACT TO AMEND THE ELECTION LAW, IN RELATION TO MAILING

                    SPECIAL BALLOTS FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

                                         25



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                                 ACTING SPEAKER PICHARDO:  READ THE LAST

                    SECTION.

                                 THE CLERK:  THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER PICHARDO:  THE CLERK WILL

                    RECORD THE VOTE.

                                 (THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  ARE THERE ANY OTHER

                    VOTES?  ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

                                 (THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

                                 THE BILL IS PASSED.

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES:  MR. SPEAKER, IF I COULD

                    INTERRUPT THE PROCEEDINGS TO DO A BRIEF INTRODUCTION.  WE HAVE JOINING

                    US IN THE CHAMBERS TODAY SOME STUDENTS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF

                    BUFFALO FAMILY VIOLENCE AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS CLINIC.  THEY WOULD BE

                    JOINED BY THEIR ASSISTANT CLINICAL PROFESSOR, JUDITH OLIN, BUT

                    UNFORTUNATELY, JUDITH LOST HER MOM AND SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE WITH

                    THEM.  BUT SHE IS SO PROUD OF THESE STUDENTS, AS AM I, MR. SPEAKER.

                    THESE STUDENTS ARE DEDICATED ADVOCATES FOR THE SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC

                    VIOLENCE.  THEY DO SO MUCH, FROM REPRESENTING CLIENTS AND FAMILY IN

                    INTEGRATED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COURTS, TO GIVING PRESENTATIONS IN LOCAL

                    HIGH SCHOOLS TO STUDENTS ON TEEN DATING VIOLENCE PREVENTION, TO

                    RESEARCHING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LEGISLATION AND POLICY REFORM.  THESE

                    STUDENTS ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE COMMUNITY COORDINATED RESPONSE

                    AGAINST FAMILY VIOLENCE IN WESTERN NEW YORK.

                                         26



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                                 MR. SPEAKER, THEY ARE KATRINA LOSS, JESSICA

                    SIMONETTI, VICKI BELL WHO IS ACTUALLY A -- THE CLINICAL EDUCATION

                    PROGRAM DIRECTOR, VICKI -- I'M SORRY, ALEXANDRA JIMENEZ.  THESE ARE

                    THE STUDENTS THAT ARE WORKING WITH JUDITH OLIN ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT

                    WORK THAT WE DO IN WESTERN NEW YORK.  AND, MR. SPEAKER, IF YOU

                    COULD WELCOME THESE FINE YOUNG ADVOCATES AND STUDENTS TO OUR

                    CHAMBERS, I WOULD BE GRATEFUL.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  CERTAINLY.  ON BEHALF

                    OF MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES, THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE MEMBERS, WE

                    WELCOME YOU HERE TO THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY.  WE EXTEND TO

                    YOU THE PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR.  WE COMMEND YOU ON THE WORK THAT

                    YOU'RE DOING IN YOUR COMMUNITY.  PLEASE CONTINUE THAT WORK, CONTINUE

                    YOUR EDUCATION AND KNOW THAT YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME HERE.  THANK

                    YOU.

                                 (APPLAUSE)

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES:  MR. SPEAKER, IF WE COULD

                    TAKE UP OUR NEXT THREE ITEMS -- ACTUALLY, FOUR ITEMS:  CALENDAR NO. 144

                    BY MS. ROZIC; CALENDAR NO. 285 BY MR. CYMBROWITZ; CALENDAR NO.

                    293 BY MR. HEVESI AND CALENDAR NO. 298 BY MS. WEINSTEIN, IN THAT

                    ORDER, MR. SPEAKER.  THANK YOU.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  THE CLERK WILL READ.


                                 THE CLERK:  ASSEMBLY NO. A05318, CALENDAR NO.

                    144, ROZIC, ABBATE, ABINANTI, BLAKE, BRONSON, COLTON, CRESPO, JONES,

                    OTIS, RAIA, RICHARDSON, RODRIGUEZ, SIMON, SEAWRIGHT, PHEFFER AMATO,

                                         27



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    BICHOTTE, GRIFFIN, L. ROSENTHAL, FALL, PERRY, CRUZ, FERNANDEZ.  AN ACT

                    TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SERVICE LAW AND THE GENERAL BUSINESS LAW, IN

                    RELATION TO REQUIRING COMPANIES TO ALLOW VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

                    TO CANCEL CONTRACTS WHEN THERE IS A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INCIDENT REPORT,

                    A POLICE REPORT, AN ORDER OF PROTECTION, OR A SIGNED AFFIDAVIT.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  AN EXPLANATION IS

                    REQUESTED, MS. ROZIC.

                                 MS. ROZIC:  THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.  THIS BILL

                    WOULD REQUIRE CABLE, TELEPHONE AND SATELLITE COMPANIES TO PERMIT

                    VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TO CANCEL THEIR CONTRACTS WITH THE

                    COMPANIES WITHOUT INCURRING ANY FEES OR PENALTIES.  THE VICTIM WOULD

                    NEED TO REQUEST SUCH CANCELLATION IN WRITING AND PROVIDE AN OFFICIAL

                    DOCUMENT THAT PROVES SUCH ABUSE OCCURRED IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS.

                    THESE DOCUMENTS INCLUDE:  DOMESTIC INCIDENT REPORT, A POLICE REPORT,

                    AN ORDER OF PROTECTION OR A SIGNED AFFIDAVIT FROM A MEDICAL PROVIDER,

                    RAPE CRISIS COUNSELOR, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ADVOCATE, COURT EMPLOYEE IN

                    THE APPROPRIATE CAPACITY, OR SOCIAL WORKER.  MORE GENERALLY I WOULD

                    SAY, YOU KNOW, THIS IS ABOUT VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

                    SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE-RELATED MURDERS HAPPEN

                    WHEN THE VICTIM IS ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE AND ANY WAY THAT WE CAN HELP

                    THESE VICTIMS HAVE A QUICK, NECESSARY MOVE IS REALLY ESSENTIAL TO THEIR

                    SAFETY.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  MR. GOODELL.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.  WOULD

                    THE SPONSOR YIELD?

                                         28



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  WILL YOU YIELD, MS.

                    ROZIC?

                                 MS. ROZIC:  YES.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  THE SPONSOR YIELDS.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MS. ROZIC.

                    LAST YEAR WHEN WE DISCUSSED THIS BILL, YOU HAD INDICATED THAT YOU WERE

                    CONTEMPLATING SOME AMENDMENTS TO THE LANGUAGE.  WERE ANY OF THOSE

                    AMENDMENTS IMPLEMENTED?

                                 MS. ROZIC:  I DON'T BELIEVE SO.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  NOW, THIS --

                                 MS. ROZIC:  WE DEBATED A COMPANION BILL TO THIS

                    BILL.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  THIS ALLOWS SOMEONE WHO CLAIMS

                    TO BE A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM TO CANCEL THEIR CELL PHONE CONTRACT,

                    THEIR CABLE TV CONTRACT, THEIR SATELLITE CONTRACT.  IS THERE ANY JUDICIAL

                    REVIEW REQUIRED AT ALL AS PART OF THAT PROCESS?  IS THERE ANY DUE PROCESS

                    THAT THE TELEPHONE COMPANY OR THE CABLE TV COMPANY OR THE CELL

                    COMPANY HAS?

                                 MS. ROZIC:  WELL, THIS -- YOU KNOW, THIS GIVES SOME

                    LATITUDE TO THE COMPANY IF THAT THEY -- IF, IN FACT, THEY SUSPECT FRAUD FOR

                    WHATEVER REASON, THEY CAN TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTIONS.  BUT MORE OFTEN

                    THAN NOT, I WOULD SAY IT TAKES TREMENDOUS AMOUNT FOR SOMEONE TO

                    COME FORWARD AND TO REQUEST -- TO ACTIVELY REQUEST OR SEEK OUT ANY OF

                    THESE ORDERS.  AND SO, THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THAT'S DONE LIGHTLY.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  BUT THIS BILL DOESN'T PROVIDE ANY

                                         29



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    OPPORTUNITY, DOES IT, FOR ANY OF THOSE COMPANIES TO QUESTION IN A

                    JUDICIAL PROCEEDING OR OTHERWISE THE VALIDITY OF THAT TYPE OF REQUEST,

                    CORRECT?

                                 MS. ROZIC:  NO, IT DOESN'T SPEAK TO THAT.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  NOW, WITH -- AND THAT MAKES IT

                    DIFFERENT, BY THE WAY, THAN EXISTING LAW THAT APPLIES IN THE CONTEXT OF

                    LEASES, WHERE IT'S A JUDICIAL PROCEEDING TO VERIFY THE -- THE ALLEGATIONS

                    AND THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE ISSUE.  BUT THIS DOESN'T INCLUDE ANY OF THAT,

                    CORRECT?

                                 MS. ROZIC:  AGAIN, ONE OF THE OPTIONS IS AN ORDER OF

                    PROTECTION THAT A VICTIM WOULD HAVE TO PROVIDE.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  NOW, THIS CAN ALSO -- THIS BILL CAN

                    BE TRIGGERED WITHOUT ANY STATEMENT UNDER OATH OR ANY AFFIDAVIT OF ANY

                    KIND BY THE ALLEGED VICTIM HERSELF OR HIMSELF, CORRECT?

                                 MS. ROZIC:  YOU WOULD NEED --

                                 MR. GOODELL:  THERE'S NO REQUIREMENT FOR ANY

                    AFFIDAVIT.

                                 MS. ROZIC:  FROM THE ACTUAL VICTIM?

                                 MR. GOODELL:  RIGHT.

                                 MS. ROZIC:  CORRECT.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  FROM THE VICTIM.

                                 MS. ROZIC:  IT WOULD BE A -- I MEAN, ONE OF THE

                    OPTIONS IS A SIGNED AFFIDAVIT FROM THEIR MEDICAL PROVIDER, THEIR RAPE

                    CRISIS COUNSELOR, A COURT EMPLOYEE OR THEIR SOCIAL WORKER.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  BUT NO AFFIDAVIT FROM THE VICTIM,

                                         30



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    CORRECT?

                                 MS. ROZIC:  CORRECT.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  AND NO -- NO STATEMENT UNDER OATH

                    OF ANY KIND BY THE VICTIM, CORRECT?

                                 MS. ROZIC:  I MEAN, THEY WOULD BE SEEKING IT OUT IN

                    THE FIRST PLACE.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  I'M SORRY, I COULDN'T HEAR YOU.

                                 MS. ROZIC:  THEY WOULD BE SEEKING IT OUT IN THE

                    FIRST PLACE, SO I FEEL LIKE THAT IS THEIR STATEMENT.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  BUT I'M -- I APOLOGIZE, I'M HAVING A

                    LITTLE BIT OF TROUBLE HEARING YOU.  I'M CORRECT, THERE'S NO --

                                 MS. ROZIC:  THEY WOULD NOT HAVE TO SIGN AN

                    AFFIDAVIT.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  OKAY.  IS THERE ANY REQUIREMENT

                    THAT THE VICTIM OR ANYONE ELSE MAKE A CONNECTION BETWEEN THE ALLEGED

                    ABUSE AND THEIR CONTINUED RECEIPT OF CABLE TV OR CELL SERVICE OR A

                    TELEPHONE SERVICE?  IN OTHER WORDS, IS THERE ANY OBLIGATION THAT THE

                    VICTIM STATES, UNLESS I CANCEL THIS, I HAVE A REASONABLE FEAR THAT THEY'LL

                    BE ABLE TO TRACK ME DOWN FOR SOME REASON.  IS THERE ANY REQUIREMENT

                    THAT THERE BE A STATEMENT BY THE VICTIM THAT THERE'S ANY CONNECTION

                    BETWEEN THE TERMINATION OF THEIR SERVICE AND THE ALLEGED ABUSE?

                                 MS. ROZIC:  AGAIN, I GO BACK TO MY ORIGINAL POINT

                    WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC

                    VIOLENCE DO OR SEEK LIGHTLY AND IT'S A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION.  THEY'RE

                    NOT JUST GOING TO ABUSE THE SYSTEM IN THAT WAY.  AND IF THEY DO, AND IF A

                                         31



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    COMPANY SUSPECTS FRAUD, THEY CAN TAKE APPROPRIATE MEASURES.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  DOES THIS REQUIRE THAT THE ABUSE

                    OCCUR AFTER THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED?

                                 MS. ROZIC:  IF SUCH ABUSE OCCURRED IN THE PAST SIX

                    MONTHS.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  SO, YOU COULD HAVE AN ABUSE THAT

                    OCCURRED SIX MONTHS AGO, YOU GO AND YOU SIGN A NEW CONTRACT WITH

                    VERIZON, FOR EXAMPLE, YOU COULD THEN CANCEL THE CONTRACT THAT YOU JUST

                    SIGNED WITH VERIZON BECAUSE SIX MONTHS BEFORE YOU SIGNED THE

                    CONTRACT, YOU WERE THE VICTIM OF ABUSE, IS THAT CORRECT, UNDER THIS LAW?

                                 MS. ROZIC:  I BELIEVE SO.  YEAH.  SO, THE SIX-MONTH

                    WINDOW IS JUST IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A VICTIM ENOUGH TIME TO GET THESE

                    DOCUMENTS IN PLACE AND TO GIVE THEM MULTIPLE PATHWAYS TO -- TO SEEK

                    HELP AND TO GET OUT OF THIS CONTRACT, WHICH IS OFTEN WITH THE PERSON'S

                    BATTERER OR SIGNIFICANT OTHER.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  BUT MY QUESTION IS, THE SIX MONTHS

                    IS IRRESPECTIVE OF WHEN YOU SIGN THE CONTRACT UNDER THIS LAW, RIGHT?  SO

                    IT COULD BE THAT YOU WERE THE VICTIM OF DOMESTIC ABUSE FIVE MONTHS

                    BEFORE YOU SIGNED THE CONTRACT.  UNDER THIS LANGUAGE, YOU SHOULD STILL

                    BE ABLE TO CANCEL THE CONTRACT, CORRECT?

                                 MS. ROZIC:  THAT IS --

                                 MR. GOODELL:  I MEAN, THERE'S NOTHING IN THIS

                    LANGUAGE THAT SAYS THE --

                                 MS. ROZIC:  IT DOESN'T SPEAK TO THAT.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  -- ABUSE HAS TO OCCUR AFTER THE

                                         32



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    CONTRACT IS SIGNED.

                                 MS. ROZIC:  IT DOESN'T SPEAK TO THAT.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  OKAY.  CAN A CELL COMPANY REFUSE

                    TO RENEW SERVICE OR SIGN A NEW CONTRACT WITH A VICTIM WHO PREVIOUSLY

                    CANCELLED THEIR CONTRACT IF THE ABUSE OCCURRED WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THE

                    RENEWAL?

                                 MS. ROZIC:  AGAIN --

                                 MR. GOODELL:  DOES THIS BILL ADDRESS THAT SITUATION

                    AT ALL?

                                 MS. ROZIC:  IT -- IT DOESN'T SPEAK TO THAT.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  AND IS IT OKAY THEN FOR A CELL

                    COMPANY AS PART OF THEIR STANDARD APPLICATION TO ASK AN APPLICANT, HAVE

                    YOU BEEN A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC ABUSE WITHIN THE LAST SIX MONTHS?  CAN

                    THEY ADD THAT WITHOUT ANY ISSUES UNDER THIS --

                                 MS. ROZIC:  AGAIN, THIS BILL JUST ADDRESSES PENALTIES

                    AND FEES.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  NOW, THIS BILL HAS AN EFFECTIVE DATE

                    EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY?

                                 MS. ROZIC:  YES.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  WAS IT YOUR INTENT, THEN, THAT A

                    VICTIM, OR SOMEONE WHO IS A VICTIM WITHIN -- OF SEXUAL ABUSE WITHIN --

                    OR DOMESTIC ABUSE, SORRY, WITHIN SIX MONTHS COULD CANCEL AN EXISTING

                    MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT EFFECTIVE AS SOON AS THIS BILL WAS SIGNED?

                                 MS. ROZIC:  YES.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  HOW IS THAT CONSISTENT WITH THE

                                         33



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    U.S. CONSTITUTION THAT PROHIBITS STATE LEGISLATURES FROM ADOPTING

                    LEGISLATION THAT IMPAIRS THE VALIDITY OF AN EXISTING CONTRACT?

                                 MS. ROZIC:  SO, UNDER THE FEDERAL

                    TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 1996, WE ALSO -- IT ALSO ALLOWS STATES THE

                    ABILITY TO REGULATE CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS.  I BELIEVE THAT THIS

                    FALLS WITHIN THOSE PARAMETERS.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  WELL, YOU CAN DO THAT CONSISTENT

                    WITH THE U.S. CONSTITUTION IF THE EFFECTIVE DATE IS FOR ANY CONTRACTS

                    ENTERED INTO AFTER THE LAW.  I DON'T THINK YOU CAN APPLY IT TO CONTRACTS

                    THAT WERE ENTERED INTO AND WERE VALID PRIOR TO THE LAW.  THIS BILL

                    DOESN'T MAKE THAT DISTINCTION THOUGH, DOES IT?

                                 MS. ROZIC:  AGAIN, IT JUST SPEAKS TO THE PENALTIES

                    AND FEES.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  DOES THIS BILL ALLOW A CELL PHONE

                    COMPANY OR CABLE TV COMPANY TO BRING A CIVIL SUIT AGAINST THE ABUSER

                    FOR ANY DAMAGES THAT MAY BE SUSTAINED BY THE LOSS OF THIS CONTRACT?

                                 MS. ROZIC:  I'M NOT GOING TO SPECULATE ON THAT.  I'M

                    -- I'M JUST TRYING TO ADDRESS THE FEES AND THE PENALTIES THAT ONE MIGHT

                    INCUR WITHIN A FAMILY PLAN OR A BUNDLE-PACKAGE PLAN.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  DOES THIS BILL REQUIRE THE ALLEGED

                    VICTIM TO ESTABLISH ANY NEXUS OF ANY KIND BETWEEN THE ALLEGED ABUSE

                    AND THEIR CELL COVERAGE OR THEIR CABLE TV OR THEIR PHONE COMPANY

                    CONTRACT?  DO THEY HAVE TO SHOW THAT THERE'S SOME RELATIONSHIP

                    BETWEEN THEIR DOMESTIC ABUSE AND THAT CONTRACT?

                                 MS. ROZIC:  WE ARE TRYING OUR BEST TO ALLOW VICTIMS

                                         34



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TO GET OUT OF BUNDLE PACKAGES AND FAMILY CELL

                    PHONE PACKAGES OR PLANS BECAUSE THEY ARE OFTEN TRAPPED IN THESE

                    BUNDLES OR PACKAGES OR SITUATIONS WITH THEIR ABUSER.  AND THIS SOLELY

                    DEALS WITH THE SITUATION IN WHICH A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS

                    TRYING TO LEAVE THAT SITUATION BEHIND QUICKLY.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  NOW, I UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM IF

                    THERE'S A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC ABUSE WHO'S IN A BUNDLE PACKAGE WITH THE

                    ABUSER, I ABSOLUTELY UNDERSTAND THAT PROBLEM; IS THIS BILL LIMITED TO

                    THOSE SITUATIONS?

                                 MS. ROZIC:  DOES IT WHAT?  I DIDN'T HEAR YOU.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  IS THIS BILL LIMITED TO SITUATIONS

                    WHERE THE ABUSER AND THE ALLEGED VICTIM ARE ON THE SAME CONTRACT OR

                    ARE IN A BUNDLE?  IT'S NOT IN ANY WAY LIMITED TO THAT, IS IT?

                                 MS. ROZIC:  NO, IT'S BOTH.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  SO YOU COULD HAVE AN ALLEGED

                    VICTIM WHO HAS A SEPARATE CONTRACT THAT HAS NOTHING WHATSOEVER TO DO

                    WITH THE ABUSER AND THIS GIVES THEM THE RIGHT TO CANCEL THEIR CELL

                    CONTRACT AND GO WITH A COMPETING COMPANY THAT MIGHT BE OFFERING A

                    BETTER RATE OR FOR ANY OTHER REASON AS LONG AS THEY'RE A VICTIM WITHIN SIX

                    MONTHS?

                                 MS. ROZIC:  AGAIN, I'M NOT GOING TO SPECULATE ON

                    SPECIFIC SITUATIONS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT OCCUR, BUT IT IS -- IT IS -- IT DOES

                    SPEAK TO THE FACT THAT A VICTIM IS TRAPPED WITHIN THEIR BUNDLE PACKAGE

                    OR THEIR PLAN WITH THEIR ABUSER.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  AND I KNOW I ASKED THIS, I WASN'T

                                         35



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    SURE IF I HAD THE ANSWER ON IT.  CAN A CELL PHONE COMPANY OR CABLE TV

                    COMPANY REFUSE TO SIGN A NEW CONTRACT WITH A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC

                    ABUSE?

                                 MS. ROZIC:  THIS DOESN'T SPEAK TO THAT.  THIS ONLY

                    SPEAKS TO THE FEES AND THE PENALTIES THAT WOULD BE INCURRED IN SOMEONE

                    TRYING -- A VICTIM TRYING TO LEAVE THEIR BUNDLE PACKAGE.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  NOW, AS YOU KNOW, OFTENTIMES A

                    CELL COMPANY OR A CABLE COMPANY WILL GIVE A SPECIAL DISCOUNTED RATE IF

                    YOU SIGN A MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT.  SO IT MIGHT BE, YOU KNOW, $50 A MONTH

                    IF YOU GO MONTH-TO-MONTH, IT MIGHT BE $40 A MONTH IF YOU SIGN A

                    TWO-YEAR CONTRACT, YOU KNOW, $35 A MONTH IF IT'S A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT.

                    IF A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC ABUSE CANCELS A CONTRACT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE

                    TERM, CAN THE COMPANY GO BACK AND CHARGE THE HIGHER RATE FOR THE

                    SERVICE ALREADY RENDERED UNDER THE SHORT-TERM?

                                 MS. ROZIC:  AGAIN, THIS -- THIS BILL DOESN'T ADDRESS

                    THAT.  THE INTENT OF THIS BILL IS TO ADDRESS THE FEES AND THE PENALTIES THAT

                    WOULD BE INCURRED LEAVING.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  MANY PEOPLE, AS YOU KNOW, BUY

                    THEIR CELL PHONE FINANCED BY THE PROVIDER, AT&T, VERIZON, WHATEVER,

                    RIGHT?  WHAT HAPPENS, THEN, WHEN THE ALLEGED VICTIM CANCELS THE

                    CONTRACT WITH THE CELL PHONE COMPANY?  MUST THEY RETURN THEIR CELL

                    PHONE OR MUST THEY PAY IT OFF IN FULL?  WHAT HAPPENS THEN?

                                 MS. ROZIC:  THIS DOESN'T SPEAK TO THAT SITUATION.

                    WE CAN TAKE A LOOK AT DOING THAT IN FUTURE LEGISLATION.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  BUT THIS WOULD NOT CANCEL THEIR

                                         36



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    PROMISSORY NOTE OR THEIR CONTRACT TO PAY FOR THE PHONE?  I MEAN, YOU

                    DON'T GET A FREE PHONE OUT OF THIS, DO YOU?

                                 MS. ROZIC:  THIS JUST SPEAKS TO THE ACTUAL BUNDLE

                    PACKAGES, SATELLITE PACKAGE THAT YOU HAVE.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  WELL, IT TALKS ABOUT MULTI-YEAR

                    CONTRACT OR BUNDLE CONTRACT, RIGHT?  IT TALKS ABOUT THEM IN THE

                    DISJUNCTIVE.  SO, YOU COULD HAVE A MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT THAT'S NOT

                    BUNDLED AND IT'S STILL COVERED BY THIS BILL, CORRECT?

                                 MS. ROZIC:  THAT IS POSSIBLE.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  THANK YOU, MS. ROZIC.

                                 MS. ROZIC:  YOU'RE WELCOME.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS.

                                 ON THE BILL.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  ON THE BILL, SIR.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM, OF COURSE,

                    WANTS TO BE HELPFUL AND SUPPORTIVE OF THE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC

                    VIOLENCE, BUT I THINK WE ALSO NEED TO HAVE REASONABLE STANDARDS IN

                    PLACE TO PROTECT INNOCENT THIRD-PARTIES FROM BEING DAMAGED.  AND THAT

                    INNOCENT THIRD-PARTY MIGHT BE A COMPANY, A CELL PHONE COMPANY OR A

                    SATELLITE TV COMPANY OR A CABLE COMPANY.  AND WHAT HAPPENS IS THEY

                    GIVE SPECIAL RATES WHEN YOU HAVE A MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT AND THEY PLAN

                    ON THOSE MULTI-YEAR CONTRACTS IN DEVELOPING THOSE RATES.  AND WHAT THIS

                    BILL BASICALLY SAYS IS THAT A PERSON CAN COME IN, CLAIM THEY'RE A VICTIM

                    OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND BASED ON THAT CLAIM, THEY CAN CANCEL THE

                    CONTRACT, WALK AWAY.  THEY GET THE BENEFIT OF THE LOWER RATE, BUT THEY

                                         37



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    DON'T HAVE ANY OBLIGATION BY CLAIMING THAT WITHIN SIX MONTHS THEY

                    WERE A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.  AND AS THE SPONSOR POINTED OUT,

                    THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COULD HAVE OCCURRED FIVE MONTHS BEFORE THEY

                    SIGNED THE CONTRACT, WELL BEFORE.  AND AS WAS POINTED OUT, THIS BILL

                    DOESN'T REQUIRE ANY CONNECTION, ANY NEXUS, IF YOU WILL, BETWEEN THE

                    ALLEGED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THE CONTRACT.  YOU HAVE A CELL PHONE

                    THAT'S ON YOUR OWN NAME, THE PHONE COMPANY AUTOMATICALLY, AS WE ALL

                    KNOW, THEY'LL DO IT FOR ALL OF US, WILL AUTOMATICALLY CHANGE YOUR PHONE

                    NUMBER, SO WHY -- WHY SHOULD YOU BE ABLE TO WALK AWAY FROM A

                    MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT BECAUSE YOU WERE A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC ABUSE?

                    THERE'S NO JUDICIAL PROTECTION.  THERE'S NO INDEPENDENT THIRD-PARTY.

                    WE DON'T EVEN REQUIRE UNDER THIS BILL THAT THE VICTIM CERTIFY UNDER OATH

                    THAT THEY ACTUALLY WERE A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

                                 BUT MOST TROUBLING TO ME IS THERE'S NOTHING IN THIS BILL

                    THAT FOCUSES ON THE UNDERLYING CAUSE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.  YOU KNOW,

                    WHEN WE LET SOMEBODY GET OUT OF A RESIDENTIAL LEASE, THEY GET OUT OF IT

                    WHEN THERE'S AN ORDER OF PROTECTION AND THE COURT IS INVOLVED AND

                    THERE'S ENFORCEMENT ACTION THAT'S BEING TAKEN AGAINST THE ABUSER.  BUT

                    THIS BILL DOESN'T REQUIRE THAT THE ABUSER EVEN BE IDENTIFIED.  THERE'S

                    NOTHING THAT STOPS FURTHER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.  THERE'S NO REQUIREMENT

                    UNDER THIS BILL FOR A POLICE REPORT.  THERE'S NO REQUIREMENT THAT THE

                    ABUSER'S NAME BE IDENTIFIED OR THAT WE TAKE ANY STEPS OF ANY KIND TO

                    STOP THE FUTURE ABUSE.  INSTEAD, WHAT WE SAY IS THAT WE TAKE A WHOLE

                    CLASS OF PEOPLE AND SAY GUESS WHAT?  THIS WHOLE CLASS OF PEOPLE CAN'T

                    BE HELD TO AN ENFORCEABLE CONTRACT.  I SEE I'M OUT OF TIME.

                                         38



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  YES, YOU ARE, MR.

                    GOODELL.

                                 THERE IS NO ONE ELSE ON THE BILL.  DO YOU WANT TO

                    IMPOSE YOUR SECOND?

                                 MR. GOODELL:  THANK YOU, SIR.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  PROCEED.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  SO WE TRAMPLE DUE PROCESS RIGHTS

                    OF ANY OF THESE COMPANIES, WE IMPLEMENT A BILL THAT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL

                    BECAUSE IT VIOLATES EXISTING CONTRACTS, WE DON'T REQUIRE ANY NEXUS OR

                    ANY CONNECTION AT ALL BETWEEN THE ALLEGED ABUSE AND THE CONTRACT THAT'S

                    BEING CANCELLED, WE DON'T PROVIDE A MECHANISM FOR THE PHONE

                    COMPANY TO EVEN SUE THE ABUSER TO RECOVER ANY DAMAGES, WE DON'T

                    REQUIRE THE ABUSER'S IDENTITY TO BE DISCLOSED, WE DON'T REQUIRE A POLICE

                    REPORT, WE DON'T REQUIRE THE ALLEGED ABUSER TO EVEN SIGN UNDER OATH THAT

                    THEY ACTUALLY ARE THE VICTIM.  THERE'S NOTHING IN HERE, NO CHECKS OR

                    BALANCES OF ANY KIND.

                                 SO, IF WE WANT TO REDUCE ABUSE, LET'S ENCOURAGE THOSE

                    WHO ARE ABUSED TO FILE A POLICE REPORT TO IDENTIFY THE ABUSER, TO

                    COOPERATE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, TO -- IF THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR

                    SAFETY, TO SEEK AN ORDER OF PROTECTION.  INSTEAD, WHAT THIS BILL SAYS IS WE

                    HAVE A WHOLE CLASS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO ENFORCEABLE CONTRACT.  WE

                    SAY IF YOU'RE A CELLPHONE COMPANY OR A CABLE TELEPHONE COMPANY OR A

                    TELEPHONE COMPANY, THERE'S A WHOLE GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT YOU CANNOT

                    SIGN A VALID BINDING CONTRACT WITH.  IT INCLUDES EVERYONE UNDER THE AGE

                    OF 18 BECAUSE WE WON'T LET MINORS SIGN A CONTRACT, IT INCLUDES EVERYONE

                                         39



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    WHO'S MENTALLY INCOMPETENT, AND IT INCLUDES ANYONE WHO WITHIN SIX

                    MONTHS WAS A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC ABUSE.

                                 IT HAS FAR-REACHING RAMIFICATIONS.  I WOULD

                    RECOMMEND THAT WE CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR WAYS TO HELP VICTIMS OF

                    DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WHILE FOCUSING OUR EFFORTS ON BEING FAIR, BALANCED

                    AND ENCOURAGING EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY AND PUNISH AND STOP ABUSERS.

                    UNFORTUNATELY, THIS BILL I DON'T THINK HAS THAT RIGHT BALANCE.  THANK YOU,

                    MR. SPEAKER.  AND, AGAIN, I APPRECIATE THE COMMENTS FROM MY

                    COLLEAGUE.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  READ THE LAST SECTION.

                                 THE CLERK:  THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  THE CLERK WILL RECORD

                    THE VOTE.

                                 (THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

                                 MS. GLICK TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.

                                 MS. GLICK:  THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.  I WANT TO

                    COMMEND THE SPONSOR OF THE BILL.  MOST INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE FACING

                    DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FEEL IN MANY INSTANCES SOME SHAME AND FEAR.  THEY

                    HAVE MANY -- THERE'S A CONSTELLATION OF ISSUES THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH,

                    FAMILY, MAYBE CHILDREN, A CELL PHONE CONTRACT IS NOT NECESSARILY HIGH

                    ON THEIR LIST.  MANY PEOPLE DO NOT SEEK AN ORDER OF PROTECTION BECAUSE

                    THAT IS FREQUENTLY WHEN ONE IS MOST IN DANGER BY SIGNALING TO THE

                    ABUSER THAT YOU'RE TAKING ACTION.  DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE, THE

                    POLICE MAY BE MORE OR LESS RECEPTIVE TO TAKING A COMPLAINT.

                                 AND SO, THIS IS JUST REMOVING ONE ELEMENT OF CONCERN

                                         40



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    THAT YOU ARE NOT TIED INTO SOMETHING.  YOU MAY HAVE TO SWITCH YOUR

                    JOB, YOU MAY HAVE TO SWITCH WHERE YOU LIVE.  THERE ARE A GREAT MANY

                    ISSUES YOU MAY BE CONFRONTING AND SO THIS IS, I THINK, A REASONABLE

                    MEASURE.  PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO DEFRAUD BY COMING FORWARD AND

                    SAYING, I AM A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE; THEREFORE I WANT TO GET OUT

                    OF THIS CONTRACT.  THAT IS A FANTASY.  SO I WITHDRAW MY REQUEST AND VOTE

                    IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  MS. GLICK IN THE

                    AFFIRMATIVE.

                                 MR. BARRON.

                                 MR. BARRON:  THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.  THIS IS

                    INCREDIBLE.  IT SEEMS LIKE MY COLLEAGUE WANTS AN ORDER OF PROTECTION

                    FOR THE CELL PHONE COMPANY OR FOR A CABLEVISION COMPANY TO PROTECT

                    THEM MORE THAN PROTECTING A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.  I THINK IT'S

                    ABSURD TO THINK THAT SOMEONE -- THIS BILL CLEARLY STATES THAT THOSE WHO

                    HAVE PERMANENT PROTECT -- ORDER OF PROTECTIONS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO

                    GET OUT OF THESE CONTRACTS.  TO BE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT SOMEBODY

                    RIPPING OFF A CELL PHONE COMPANY OR A CABLEVISION COMPANY WITH

                    SOME FRAUDULENT EXCUSE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE I THINK IS ABSURD.  IT'S

                    INCREDIBLE.  I WAS SITTING THERE SAYING, LET ME NOT TALK DURING THE 15

                    MINUTE TIME BECAUSE I MAY COME BACK FOR 15 MINUTES, SO I JUST WANTED

                    TO SAY IT NOW THAT FOR SOMEONE TO BE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT A CELL

                    PHONE COMPANY BEING ABUSED OR RIPPED OFF THAN A PERSON BEING A

                    VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND TRYING TO EASE THE PAIN THE LITTLE BIT

                    THAT GETTING OUT OF A CONTRACT WOULD DO, I THINK IT'S JUST A NO-BRAINER SO

                                         41



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    I GLADLY -- I COMMEND THE SPONSOR OF THIS BILL AND I GLADLY VOTE IN THE

                    AFFIRMATIVE.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  MR. BARRON IN THE

                    AFFIRMATIVE.

                                 MS. SIMOTAS TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.

                                 MS. SIMOTAS:  I ALSO RISE TO COMMEND THE SPONSOR

                    OF THIS BILL AND ALSO TO POINT OUT THAT ON LINES 18 AND 19 AND THROUGHOUT

                    THIS BILL, THERE'S A SPECIFIC CLAUSE THAT SAYS, A CLAIM FOR OPTING OUT OF

                    SUCH CONTRACT WITHOUT CHARGE SHALL BE MADE IN GOOD FAITH.  THE

                    SPONSOR I DON'T BELIEVE IS TRYING TO DEFRAUD ANYBODY OR HAVE THESE

                    CORPORATIONS GET OUT OF THEIR CONTRACTS WITHOUT PROPER CAUSE.  AND, YOU

                    KNOW, IF SOMEBODY MAKES A CLAIM THAT THEY'RE A DV VICTIM, THEN

                    THEY'RE GOING TO BE HELD TO ACCOUNT BECAUSE THIS STATUTE SPECIFICALLY

                    CLAIMS THAT THEY HAVE TO MAKE THE CLAIM IN GOOD FAITH.

                                 AGAIN, I COMMEND THE SPONSOR.  IT'S VERY IMPORTANT

                    THAT WE PROVIDE THESE PROTECTIONS AND DON'T ALLOW CORPORATIONS TO KEEP

                    DOMESTIC VIOLENCE -- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS REALLY AT -- AT THE

                    WHIMS OF THESE CORPORATIONS.  THANK YOU VERY MUCH.  I VOTE IN THE

                    AFFIRMATIVE.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  MS. SIMOTAS IN THE

                    AFFIRMATIVE.

                                 ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES?  ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

                                 (THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

                                 THE BILL IS PASSED.


                                 THE CLERK:  ASSEMBLY NO. A02832, CALENDAR NO.

                                         42



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    285, CYMBROWITZ, ABBATE, BRONSON, MALLIOTAKIS, PEOPLES-STOKES,

                    WEPRIN, ABINANTI, SEAWRIGHT, BICHOTTE, HEVESI.  AN ACT TO AMEND THE

                    INSURANCE LAW, IN RELATION TO ALLOWING VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

                    THE OPPORTUNITY TO DESIGNATE AN ALTERNATE ADDRESS FOR HEALTH INSURANCE

                    CLAIMS OR BILLING PURPOSES.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  READ THE LAST SECTION.

                                 THE CLERK:  THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT JANUARY 1ST.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  THE CLERK WILL RECORD

                    THE VOTE.

                                 (THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

                                 ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES?  ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

                                 (THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

                                 THE BILL IS PASSED.


                                 THE CLERK:  ASSEMBLY NO. A04267, CALENDAR NO.

                    293, HEVESI, ENGLEBRIGHT, L. ROSENTHAL, GUNTHER, ARROYO, ROZIC,

                    LAVINE, GIGLIO, D'URSO, GALEF, JOYNER, SIMON, RIVERA, TAYLOR, HUNTER,

                    SEAWRIGHT, BICHOTTE, MOSLEY, NIOU, ORTIZ, BARRON, WILLIAMS,

                    RICHARDSON, GOTTFRIED, EPSTEIN, WRIGHT, BLAKE.  AN ACT TO AMEND THE

                    REAL PROPERTY LAW, IN RELATION TO THE TERMINATION OF A RESIDENTIAL LEASE

                    BY A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE; AND TO REPEAL CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF

                    SUCH LAW RELATING THERETO.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  AN EXPLANATION IS

                    REQUESTED, MR. HEVESI.

                                 MR. HEVESI:  THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, AND MY

                    COLLEAGUES.  AND, MR. GOODELL, I'M ASSUMING THIS IS MOSTLY FOR YOU,

                                         43



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    MY FRIEND.  THIS IS A NEW BILL, SO I'M GOING TO GO INTO A LITTLE BIT MORE

                    DETAIL THAN I NORMALLY WOULD.  IN 2007, THIS LEGISLATURE PASSED A LAW

                    THAT CREATED A MECHANISM FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS TO BREAK THEIR

                    LEASES IF THEY HAD EXPERIENCED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND WERE REASONABLY

                    SURE THAT THEY WERE IN AN UNSAFE SITUATION.  IT WAS A GOOD LAW;

                    HOWEVER, SOME OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS TO

                    ACCESS THAT MECHANISM SO THEY COULD BREAK THEIR LEASE ARE A LITTLE BIT

                    ONEROUS, WHICH HAS LEFT SOME SURVIVORS IN THE UNFORTUNATE

                    CIRCUMSTANCE THAT EITHER THEY HAVE TO, A, STAY IN AN UNSAFE LIVING

                    SITUATION OR, B, BECAUSE THE VIOLENCE IS SO BAD, THAT THEY FLEE ONLY LATER

                    TO BE HIT WITH FINANCIAL PENALTIES.

                                 THE PURPOSE OF THIS SPECIFIC BILL IS TO GET RID OF A

                    NUMBER OF THE REQUIREMENTS TO ALLOW MORE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

                    SURVIVORS ACCESS TO THIS MECHANISM TO BREAK THEIR LEASE.  BECAUSE THIS

                    IS A NEW BILL AND I DON'T LIKE DOING THIS, WE HAVE 11 PROVISIONS.  I'M

                    GOING TO READ THEM VERY QUICKLY, BUT I WANT THE HOUSE TO CONSIDER

                    THEM AS I -- AS I GO THROUGH THEM, I WANT EVERYBODY TO HAVE A FULL

                    UNDERSTANDING OF THIS.  ANDY, WE'LL GET TO YOUR QUESTIONS IN A SECOND.

                                 SO, FIRST, THE CHANGE -- THIS BILL CHANGES THE

                    TERMINATION OF LEASE PROCESS BY NO LONGER REQUIRING A COURT ORDER OF

                    PROTECTION; WE ARE REPLACING THAT REQUIREMENT WITH A WRITTEN NOTICE

                    REQUIREMENT.  WE ARE ELIMINATING THE REQUIREMENT THAT A TENANT SEEKING

                    A LEASE TERMINATION HAS TO NOTIFY A CO-TENANT WHO IS THEIR ABUSER.

                    THINK ABOUT THAT ONE FOR A SECOND.  WE ARE EXPANDING THE CATEGORIES

                    OF DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED TO CORROBORATE THE TENANT'S STATUS AS A

                                         44



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVOR TO INCLUDE POLICE REPORTS, MEDICAL REPORTS

                    AND CERTIFICATIONS FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICE PROVIDERS, AS WELL AS

                    ORDERS OF PROTECTION.  WE ARE SHORTENING THE TIME PERIOD BETWEEN THE

                    INITIATION OF THE PROCESS AND THE TERMINATION DATE.  WE ARE ELIMINATING

                    -- THIS -- THIS IS ACTUALLY A REALLY BAD ONE, I'M GLAD WE'RE ADDRESSING

                    THIS, WE ARE ELIMINATING THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE TENANT SEEKING TO

                    TERMINATE A LEASE BE CURRENT ON RENTAL PAYMENTS.  THE EXPERTS TELL US

                    THAT 99 PERCENT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS AND VICTIMS ARE VICTIMS

                    OF FINANCIAL ABUSE.  THEY HAVE ZERO CONTROL OVER WHETHER THE RENT WAS

                    PAID ON TIME, AND TO HAVE THAT AS A REQUIREMENT THAT THEY HAVE TO BE

                    UP-TO-DATE ON THEIR RENT BEFORE THEY BREAK THE LEASE IS A VERY BAD

                    REQUIREMENT, WE'RE GETTING RID OF THAT.  WE CREATE A NEW SUBSECTION THAT

                    DETAILS HOW THE RENT AND ANY SECURITY DEPOSIT WILL BE HANDLED.  WE

                    ESTABLISH AN AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO A SUBSEQUENT LEGAL ACTION FOR RENTAL

                    ARREARS BROUGHT BY THE LANDLORD BASED ON COMPLIANCE.  WE EXPLICITLY

                    PRESERVE THE LANDLORD'S RIGHT TO SEEK RENTAL ARREARS OWED PRIOR TO THE

                    TERMINATION DATE; WE WANTED TO PROTECT THE LANDLORDS.  WE CREATE A NEW

                    SUBSECTION THAT OUTLINES AND CLARIFIES THE TREATMENT OF OTHER TENANTS IF

                    THERE'S COHABITATION.  WE CREATE A NEW SUBSECTION WITH CONFIDENTIALITY

                    PROVISIONS THAT SAYS THAT THE LANDLORD CANNOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES

                    TALK ABOUT THE USE OF THIS STATUTE OR THAT THE TENANT WAS A DOMESTIC

                    VIOLENCE SURVIVOR.  AND LAST, WE CREATE A NEW SUBSECTION WHICH

                    ESTABLISHES MINIMAL DAMAGES AND PAYMENTS FOR VIOLATION OF THE

                    SECTIONS WE TALKED ABOUT.

                                 SO, SORRY FOR GOING INTO DETAIL, BUT IT'S A COMPLEX BILL.

                                         45



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    I'M HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  MR. GOODELL.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.  WOULD

                    MR. HEVESI YIELD?

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  WILL YOU YIELD, MR.

                    HEVESI?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  IT'S MY PLEASURE, SIR.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  THE SPONSOR YIELDS.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  SO, AS YOU MENTIONED, THERE'S

                    CURRENTLY A PROCESS IN PLACE WHERE A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC ABUSE WHO HAS

                    AN ORDER OF PROTECTION CAN GET OUT OF A LEASE, CORRECT?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  CORRECT.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  AND THAT'S BEEN AROUND SINCE

                    2008?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  SEVEN.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  TWO THOUSAND AND SEVEN.  AND

                    THAT PROCESS INVOLVES AN ORDER OF PROTECTION.  SO, THERE'S BEEN A

                    PRELIMINARY COURT DETERMINATION THAT THE CLAIM IS VALID.

                                 MR. HEVESI:  YES.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  IT INVOLVES A TEN-DAY NOTICE TO THE

                    LANDLORD AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LANDLORD TO BE HEARD, CORRECT?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  CORRECT.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  AND THE WHOLE PROCESS IS UNDER THE

                    SUPERVISION, IF YOU WILL, OF AN INDEPENDENT THIRD-PARTY TRIBUNAL, A

                    JUDGE, WHO IS INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS.

                                         46



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                                 MR. HEVESI:  THAT'S CORRECT.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  AND THIS PROPOSED BILL, THEN,

                    ELIMINATES THE ENTIRE JUDICIAL REVIEW PROCESS?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  NO, SIR.  WE ALLOW FOR THAT PROCESS TO

                    CONTINUE.  YOU CAN STILL USE AN ORDER OF PROTECTION AS PART OF THE

                    WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENT THAT WE'RE CREATING.  SO, WE'RE

                    ADDING NEW AVENUES FOR SURVIVORS TO GET OUT OF THEIR LEASES, WE'RE NOT

                    STOPPING THE USE OF ORDERS OF PROTECTION TO DO THAT.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  BUT THE NEW BILL ELIMINATES THE ROLE

                    OF THE COURT IN REVIEWING THE REQUEST FOR A TERMINATION OF THE TENANCY,

                    CORRECT?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES.  SO

                    WHAT WE'RE ALLOWING IS FOR A WRITTEN NOTIFICATION, AND LET ME GET INTO

                    THIS BECAUSE IT'S A LITTLE BIT IN THE WEEDS.  SO, FIRST --

                                 MR. GOODELL:  WELL, NO, LET ME -- YOU DON'T NEED

                    TO GO AND -- I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A NUMBER OF WAYS THAT THIS BILL WOULD

                    ALLOW THE TERMINATION TO BE TRIGGERED.

                                 MR. HEVESI:  YES.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  THE OLD BILL REQUIRED A COURT

                    REVIEW.

                                 MR. HEVESI:  YES, AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT A COURT --

                                 MR. GOODELL:  AND THIS BILL ELIMINATES ALL --

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  MR. GOODELL.  WOULD

                    YOU LET HIM ANSWER.  I UNDERSTAND --

                                 MR. GOODELL:  I'D LIKE TO FINISH THE QUESTION, IF I

                                         47



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    MAY --

                                 MR. HEVESI:  IT'S MY FAULT AS WELL, MR. SPEAKER.

                    PLEASE GO AHEAD.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  MY UNDERSTANDING IS

                    YOU'D ASKED HIM A QUESTION AND HE WAS GETTING -- ANSWERING IT AND YOU

                    WANT TO --

                                 MR. GOODELL:  NO, I -- I WASN'T DONE.  MY --

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  WELL, LET -- THEN LET'S

                    JUST TRY AND BE MINDFUL.  GIVE EACH OTHER TIME ENOUGH TO ANSWER AND IF

                    -- EVEN IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE ANSWER, YOU CAN HEAR.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  CERTAINLY, SIR.

                                 AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR COURTESIES, MR. HEVESI.

                                 MR. HEVESI:  SURE.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  SO, MY QUESTION IS THIS:  UNDER THE

                    OLD BILL, THE ONLY WAY THAT YOU COULD TERMINATE A TENANCY IS YOU WOULD

                    GO THROUGH A JUDICIAL PROCEEDING WHERE THE COURT, ON TEN DAYS NOTICE TO

                    THE LANDLORD AND WITH OTHERS, WOULD THEN MAKE A DETERMINATION THAT IT

                    WAS APPROPRIATE TO TERMINATE THE LEASE.  THIS BILL ELIMINATES THAT

                    PORTION OF THE OLD STATUTE, CORRECT?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  YES.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  IT NO LONGER WOULD REQUIRE ANY

                    JUDICIAL REVIEW FOR THE TERMINATION OF A LEASE, RIGHT --

                                 MR. HEVESI:  THAT IS CORRECT.  CAN I TELL YOU WHY

                    WE'RE DOING THAT?

                                 MR. GOODELL:  NO, RIGHT NOW I'M JUST TRYING TO

                                         48



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    FIGURE OUT THE BILL.

                                 MR. HEVESI:  OKAY.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  NOW, ON THE LAST BILL WE TALKED

                    ABOUT, THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HAD TO OCCUR WITHIN SIX MONTHS.  UNDER

                    CURRENT LAW, THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HAS TO BE THE SUBJECT OF AN ORDER OF

                    PROTECTION, WHICH MEANS IT'S IMMEDIATE.  IS THERE ANY REQUIREMENT

                    UNDER THIS BILL THAT THE ORDER -- THAT THE ALLEGED ABUSE BE WITHIN A

                    CERTAIN TIMEFRAME?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  NO, AND NOR SHOULD THERE BE.  AND,

                    ANDY, DO ME A FAVOR, LET ME RESPOND.  SO, WHAT WE FOUND IS, NUMBER

                    ONE, WHEN -- UNDER THE OLD LAW, WHEN YOU'RE REQUIRING A SURVIVOR TO GO

                    BACK TO THE COURT OF ORIGINAL JURISDICTION, OKAY, WHERE THEY GOT THE

                    ORIGINAL ORDER OF PROTECTION, THEY WOULD HAVE TO GO BACK AND SEEK A

                    NEW ORDER FROM THAT COURT IN ORDER TO BREAK THEIR LEASE - THAT WAS THE

                    PROCESS - WHICH YOU'RE ESSENTIALLY DOING IS TAKING A LANDLORD-TENANT

                    ISSUE BACK INTO THE CRIMINAL COURTS AND TO FAMILY COURT AND EVEN INTO

                    SUPREME COURT.  IT DOESN'T -- IT -- IT BACKS UP THE COURT'S TIME AND IT'S

                    NOT NECESSARY.  AND WE WERE ALSO FINDING THAT AS A RESULT OF REQUIRING

                    THAT, MAKE -- THE -- THE SURVIVORS GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS, THAT A LOT OF

                    THEM ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS AND,

                    THEREFORE, WE AS THE STATE, AS THE BILL WAS INTENDED TO DO, WE'RE GOING

                    TO ALLOW A LOT MORE SURVIVORS ACCESS TO THIS MECHANISM THAN WERE

                    PREVENTED BY ONLY GOING THROUGH THE COURT STRUCTURE.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  NOW, DOES THIS BILL REQUIRE AS A

                    CONDITION OF THE TERMINATION OF THE LEASE THAT THERE BE ANY

                                         49



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    IDENTIFICATION OR THE NAME OF THE ABUSER?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  NO, AND NOR SHOULD THERE BE.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  AND DOES IT REQUIRE THAT THERE BE

                    ANY POLICE REPORT OF THE ABUSE?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  IT DOESN'T REQUIRE -- IT DOES NOT REQUIRE

                    IT, HOWEVER -- AND, BY THE WAY, THE -- I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU'RE GOING

                    WITH THIS, EXCEPT THE -- THE LOGIC FOR A SURVIVOR OF GOING TO THE POLICE

                    SHOULD NOT BE REQUIRED BY LAW.  THAT'S A PERSONAL MATTER THAT EACH

                    SURVIVOR SHOULD -- SHOULD DEAL WITH.  MAYBE IT'S NOT THE RIGHT THING FOR

                    THEIR FAMILY TO GO TO THE POLICE, MAYBE THAT'S A LAST RESORT.  SO I

                    UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF THE QUESTION, BUT NO, ON PURPOSE; WE DON'T

                    REQUIRE THAT AT ALL.  HOWEVER, IF THERE IS A POLICE REPORT OR AN ORDER OF

                    PROTECTION OR A -- OR A NOTE FROM THE DOCTOR OR A SHRINK OR A PEDIATRICIAN

                    OR ANYBODY ELSE WHO CERTIFIES THAT THERE WAS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, WE

                    WILL NOW ALLOW THAT AS A WRITTEN ATTESTATION THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HAS

                    OCCURRED AND THAT THIS PERSON REASONABLY FEARS FOR THEIR SAFETY AND THEY

                    SHOULD BE ABLE TO BREAK THEIR LEASE.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  NOW THIS BILL DOES REQUIRE THAT

                    THOSE THIRD PARTIES THAT YOU MENTIONED, INCLUDING SOCIAL WORKERS --

                                 MR. HEVESI:  YEAH.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  -- OR DOCTORS OR WHATEVER CAN --

                    CAN MAKE A REPORT OF THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND THIS BILL DOES REQUIRE

                    THAT THAT STATEMENT BE NOTARIZED AND I SEE THE BILL IT ACTUALLY HAS

                    SUGGESTED LANGUAGE FOR THAT NOTICE, CORRECT?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  YEAH, WE -- WE WERE PRETTY

                                         50



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    COMPREHENSIVE.  SO THERE ARE THREE DIFFERENT NOTICES THAT THE -- THE BILL

                    WILL ACCEPT -- WE'LL ACCEPT OTHERS, BUT WE -- IN THE ACTUAL LANGUAGE, WE

                    WROTE OUT THREE DIFFERENT SAMPLES:  ONE FOR THE SURVIVOR, ONE FOR A

                    THIRD-PARTY OF THE LIST WE JUST DISCUSSED WHO CAN ATTEST TO IT, AND ONE

                    FOR THOSE WHO NEED TRANSLATION SERVICES.  THAT -- EACH OF THOSE WILL BE

                    POSTED ON THE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM'S WEBSITE AND MADE AVAILABLE TO

                    ALL THE DIFFERENT COURTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.  SO ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO

                    NEED ACCESS TO A SAMPLE OF WHAT THIS WRITTEN NOTICE SHOULD LOOK LIKE

                    WILL HAVE ACCESS TO IT.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  BUT THE-- IF I GO BACK TO THE BILL,

                    THE BILL DOESN'T REQUIRE THAT THESE STATEMENTS BE UNDER OATH, CORRECT?  IT

                    DOESN'T REQUIRE THAT THEY BE VERIFIED.

                                 MR. HEVESI:  IT'S VERIFIED.  I WOULD -- I WOULD --

                                 MR. GOODELL:  NO, IT'S NOTARIZED AND

                    ACKNOWLEDGED --

                                 MR. HEVESI:  IT'S NOTARIZED.

                                 MR. GOODELL: -- NOT VERIFIED, CORRECT?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  BUT -- YES, BUT --

                                 MR. GOODELL:  NOT VERIFIED, CORRECT?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  WHAT'S THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN

                    NOTARIZED -- VERIFIED?  I KNOW I'M LEADING YOU DOWN A ROAD YOU

                    PROBABLY WANT TO GO, BUT, PLEASE, FEEL FREE TO TELL ME.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  WELL, NO, I'M HAPPY TO.  A

                    VERIFICATION IS YOU MAKE A STATEMENT UNDER OATH THAT'S TRUE.  THAT'S A

                    VERIFICATION.

                                         51



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                                 MR. HEVESI:  I UNDERSTAND THAT.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  BUT THIS BILL EXPRESSLY DOES NOT

                    INCLUDE A VERIFICATION.  WHAT IT DOES IS AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT.  AN

                    ACKNOWLEDGMENT IS JUST A STATEMENT BY THE NOTARY THAT THE PERSON WHO

                    SIGNED THE STATEMENT IS THE PERSON THEY CLAIM TO BE, HAS NOTHING

                    WHATSOEVER TO DO WITH THE VALIDITY OR THE HONESTY OF THE DOCUMENT, NOR

                    CAN IT BE USED IN ANY -- ANY ACTION FOR PERJURY OR ANYTHING OF THAT

                    NATURE.

                                 MR. HEVESI:  I -- APPRECIATE THAT AND THIS IS WHERE

                    -- THIS IS WHERE WE MAY BE DIFFERING.  I HAPPEN TO BELIEVE THAT

                    SURVIVORS DESERVE THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT.  I DON'T NEED INDEPENDENT

                    VERIFICATION FROM AN OUTSIDE JUDICIAL PROCESS OR ANY OTHER PROCESS.  IF A

                    SURVIVOR COMES FORWARD AND SAYS, I'VE BEEN A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC

                    VIOLENCE AND I AM REASONABLY SURE THAT I AM UNSAFE TO LIVE IN MY

                    CURRENT LIVING ENVIRONMENT, THEN I TEND TO BELIEVE THEM.  YOU MAY NOT.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  NOW, AS YOU KNOW, PARTICULARLY IN

                    THE CITY, IT'S NOT AT ALL UNUSUAL FOR AN APARTMENT TO BE OCCUPIED BY

                    MULTIPLE TENANTS --

                                 MR. HEVESI:  YES --

                                 MR. GOODELL:  CO-TENANCY.

                                 MR. HEVESI:  -- CO-TENANCY.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  AND MANY LANDLORDS REQUIRE --

                    HAVE ONE LEASE FOR THE ENTIRE APARTMENT SIGNED BY, SAY, FOUR CO-TENANTS.

                                 MR. HEVESI:  IT'S POSSIBLE.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  AND SO, IN A LEGAL SENSE THEY'RE

                                         52



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    WHAT WE CALL "JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY LIABLE."  THAT MEANS EACH ONE OF

                    THEM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENTIRE AMOUNT.  SO, IF SOME -- ONE OF THE

                    CO-TENANTS EXERCISES THIS, AND ASSUME THE OTHER CO-TENANTS HAD NOTHING

                    TO DO WITH THE ABUSE --

                                 MR. HEVESI:  WELL, ACTUALLY, ACTUALLY, I CAN'T LET YOU

                    ASSUME THAT, ANDY, BECAUSE PART OF THE REASON FOR BREAKING THE LEASE --

                                 MR. GOODELL:  MAY I FINISH THIS QUESTION?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  ABSOLUTELY, I'M SORRY.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  I UNDERSTAND THERE'S SPECIAL

                    PROVISIONS IF ONE OF THE CO-TENANTS IS THE ABUSER.  BUT IN THOSE

                    SITUATIONS WHERE THE CO -- NONE OF THE OTHER CO-TENANTS ARE ABUSERS, THIS

                    BILL WOULD ALLOW THE TENANT, ONE OF THE CO-TENANTS, TO WALK OUT ON THE

                    LEASE LEAVING THE OTHER --

                                 MR. HEVESI:  CAN YOU GIVE ME ONE SECOND?

                                 MR. GOODELL:  -- CO-TENANTS TO PICK UP THE BILL,

                    RIGHT?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  COULD YOU HOLD ON ONE SECOND?  YOU

                    RAISE AN INTERESTING POINT.

                                 (PAUSE) (SIDEBAR)

                                 OKAY.  YOU'RE RIGHT.  BY -- BY THE WAY, ANDY, YOU --

                    YOU RAISE AN INTERESTING POINT THAT I HAD NOT CONSIDERED AND I

                    APPRECIATE IT.  SO, I WAS UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THAT A CO-TENANT WOULD

                    HAVE TO BE -- ONE OF THE CO-TENANTS IS THE ABUSER WHICH IS GIVING THE --

                    THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVOR THE REASON FOR GETTING OUT.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  ABSOLUTELY.

                                         53



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                                 MR. HEVESI:  I'M TOLD -- I AM TOLD BY COUNSEL THAT,

                    IN ADDITION, IF THE ABUSER HAS ACCESS TO THE BUILDING AND IS NOT A

                    CO-TENANT, THAT IS ALSO -- WOULD BE SUFFICIENT FOR THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

                    SURVIVOR TO MAKE THE WRITTEN NOTICE AND GET OUT OF THE APARTMENT.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  BUT THIS --

                                 MR. HEVESI:  SO, I HAD NOT UNDERSTOOD THAT

                    DISTINCTION.  BUT, PLEASE...

                                 MR. GOODELL:  BUT THERE'S NOTHING IN THIS

                    LANGUAGE THAT ACTUALLY REQUIRES THAT EITHER A CO-TENANT BE THE ABUSER OR

                    THAT A CO-TENANT HAVE ACCESS, RIGHT?  ALL THEY NEED TO CERTIFY IS THEY'RE A

                    VICTIM OF DOMESTIC ABUSE.

                                 MR. HEVESI:  THAT IS CORRECT.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  AND SO, IF --

                                 MR. HEVESI:  YOU HAVE TO TRUST THE VICTIMS.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  SO, MY QUESTION IS, GOING BACK,

                    WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER THREE CO-TENANTS?  NOW THEY'RE STUCK ON PAYING

                    100 PERCENT OF THE LEASE PAYMENT, CORRECT?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  NO, THEY'RE NOT.  WE SET UP A

                    CIRCUMSTANCE FOR THEM AND IF YOU'LL -- YOU'LL READ THE BILL, HERE IS THE

                    CIRCUMSTANCE -- WE HAVE A -- WE CREATE A NEW -- A NEW SUBSECTION THAT

                    ACTUALLY MIRRORS ANOTHER PART OF THE REAL PROPERTY TAX LAW.  IT SAYS

                    THAT IF TENANTS -- IF THERE ARE TENANTS ON THE LEASE OTHER THAN THE

                    TERMINATING TENANT, FIRST, THE LANDLORD WILL NOT TERMINATE OR SEVER THE

                    CO-TENANCY EXCEPT WITH THE OTHER TENANTS' CONSENT.  THE LANDLORD MUST

                    PROVIDE THE REMAINING TENANTS AT LEAST 30 DAYS FROM THE TERMINATION

                                         54



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    DATE TO DECIDE WHETHER TO CONSENT TO A TERMINATION SEVERANCE AND, AS

                    IMPORTANT, THE REMAINING TENANT OR CO-TENANTS HOLDS THE RIGHT TO ADD AN

                    ADDITIONAL OCCUPANT.  WE'RE TRYING NOT TO HURT THE LANDLORDS OR THE OTHER

                    TENANTS.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  SO, I UNDERSTAND THAT.  SO, LET'S SAY

                    YOU HAVE FOUR TENANTS -- GIVE YOU A HYPOTHETICAL.  YOU HAVE FOUR

                    TENANTS, THEY SIGN A LEASE, THEY'RE JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY LIABLE, ONE OF

                    THEM CLAIMS THAT THEY'RE THE VICTIM OF DOMESTIC ABUSE, THE ABUSER IS NOT

                    IN THE BUILDING, NOT A CO-TENANT.  THIS BILL SAYS, OKAY FINE, WE LET ONE OF

                    THE FOUR OUT, THE OTHER THREE NOW HAVE TO PAY 100 PERCENT OF THE BILL.

                    THE LANDLORD CAN, BUT IS NOT REQUIRED TO TERMINATE OR SEVERENT -- SEVER,

                    THE -- IF THE LANDLORD SAYS, THAT'S FINE, I DON'T CARE AS LONG AS YOU PAY

                    THE RENT, THAT'S COOL.  THIS BILL THEN GOES ON TO SAY, OKAY, SO THE OTHER

                    THREE NOW HAVE A STATUTORY RIGHT TO REPLACE THE ONE THAT LEFT, CORRECT?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  THAT'S CORRECT.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  AND BECAUSE THIS BILL --

                                 MR. HEVESI:  BY THE WAY, ANDY, ANDY, BECAUSE WE

                    DIDN'T WANT THEM TO DO WHAT YOU JUST SUGGESTED AND PAY 100 PERCENT OF

                    THE RENT, WE WANTED TO GIVE THEM AN AVENUE TO BRING SOMEBODY ELSE IN

                    TO COVER THAT PORTION.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  SO, A LOT OF TIMES LANDLORDS, AS YOU

                    KNOW, HAVE CONDITIONS THAT THEY IMPOSE IN -- IN ALLOWING TENANTS IN.

                    THEY MAY DO A CREDIT CHECK, THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NO OBVIOUS

                    PROBLEMS WITH THEM.  THEY MAY BAN PETS, RIGHT?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  SURE.

                                         55



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                                 MR. GOODELL:  THEY MAY BE NON-SMOKING.  IS

                    THERE ANYTHING IN HERE THAT -- ANYTHING IN THIS LANGUAGE THAT REQUIRES

                    THE REPLACEMENT TENANT TO COMPLY WITH ALL THE RESTRICTIONS THAT THE

                    LANDLORD WOULD HAVE FOR ANY OTHER TENANT?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  I'M -- GIVE ME ONE SECOND.

                                 (PAUSE) (SIDEBAR)

                                 YEAH.  ANDY, THIS IS COVERED UNDER EXISTING LAW.  IF

                    SOMEBODY COMES IN, THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE HELD TO THE STANDARD OF THE

                    CURRENT LEASE.  THEY'RE NOT COMING IN WITH NEW REQUIREMENTS, WE'RE NOT

                    CHANGING ANYTHING FOR THE LANDLORDS.  SO, WHOEVER THE ROOMMATE, LET'S

                    SAY THE CO-TENANT, IN THIS CASE, BRINGS IN, WOULD HAVE TO BE FULFILLING

                    THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE EXISTING TENANT WHO LEFT.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  WELL, BEFORE A LANDLORD WILL SIGN A

                    LEASE WITH A NEW TENANT, THE LANDLORD OFTEN DOES A FAIR AMOUNT OF DUE

                    DILIGENCE IN THE BACKGROUND OF THE TENANT.

                                 MR. HEVESI:  YES.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  THAT DUE DILIGENCE IS NOT PART OF

                    THE LEASE.  IT'S BEFORE THAT LANDLORD SIGNS THE LEASE.

                                 MR. HEVESI:  THAT IS CORRECT.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  SO, THE QUESTION IS, IS THERE

                    ANYTHING IN THIS LANGUAGE THAT ALLOWS THE TENANT TO REVIEW THE

                    QUALIFICATIONS OF THE PROPOSED NEW TENANT TO ENSURE THAT THEY MEET THE

                    LANDLORD'S PRE-LEASE, PRE-REVIEW OF QUALIFICATIONS?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  YEAH.  WE PROVIDED A 30-DAY WINDOW

                    BEFORE THE NEXT TENANT COMES TO REPLACE THE -- THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

                                         56



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    SURVIVOR.  I BELIEVE, NUMBER ONE, THAT SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT TIME FOR THE

                    LANDLORD OR LESSOR TO -- TO DO THEIR DUE DILIGENCE.  AND, BY THE WAY,

                    EVEN IF IT'S NOT, THAT IS NOT A REASON TO ALLOW DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

                    SURVIVORS TO STAY IN AN UNSAFE SITUATION.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  AS YOU KNOW, THERE ARE MANY

                    TENANCIES WHERE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ALLOWED IN AS TENANTS HAVE TO MEET

                    CERTAIN CRITERIA.  THEY MIGHT HAVE TO BE OVER A CERTAIN AGE, FOR

                    EXAMPLE, OR UNDER A CERTAIN INCOME.

                                 MR. HEVESI:  YES.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  IS THERE ANYTHING IN THIS THAT

                    REQUIRES THE REPLACEMENT TENANT TO MEET THOSE CRITERIA?  I'M LOOKING AT

                    PARAGRAPH -- I'M LOOKING AT PAGE 6, LINE 14 THROUGH 16.  I DON'T SEE THAT

                    THERE'S ANY RESTRICTIONS WHATSOEVER IN THE STATUTORY RIGHT AS WRITTEN --

                                 MR. HEVESI:  WHY -- ANDY, I'M --

                                 MR. GOODELL:  -- TO PUT SOMEBODY IN THERE THAT

                    DOESN'T OTHERWISE QUALIFY.

                                 MR. HEVESI:  FIRST OF ALL, NOBODY IS PUTTING

                    SOMEBODY IN THERE THAT WOULDN'T OTHERWISE QUALIFY UNLESS THE LANDLORD

                    AGREES, NUMBER ONE.  AND THE CO-TENANT --

                                 MR. GOODELL:  DOES IT REQUIRE THE LANDLORD'S

                    CONSENT?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  ANDY, LET ME -- PLEASE LET ME FINISH.

                    SO, IF THE LANDLORD DOESN'T AGREE AND/OR THE CO-TENANT DOESN'T AGREE, IT'S

                    NOT HAPPENING, NUMBER ONE.  AND, NUMBER TWO, I'M A LITTLE CONCERNED

                    ABOUT THE QUESTION.  YOU WOULD WANT US TO PUT INTO STATUTE THAT THE

                                         57



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    REPLACEMENT TENANT, THE PERSON WHO'S COMING IN HAS TO MEET A BUNCH

                    OF REQUIREMENTS THAT THEY ARE LIKE IN AGE, DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS

                    AS THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVOR?  WE WOULD NEVER DO THAT.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  WELL, AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THAT IN

                    MANY STATUTORY PROVISIONS WHERE WE HAVE INCOME RESTRICTIONS IF YOU'RE

                    MOVING INTO A --

                                 MR. HEVESI:  SO, IF WE HAVE IT IN MANY

                    CIRCUMSTANCES --

                                 MR. GOODELL:  BUT -- BUT --

                                 MR. HEVESI:  -- THEN IT'S UNDER CURRENT LAW.

                                 MR. GOODELL: -- IF I MAY FINISH MY QUESTION.

                                 MR. HEVESI:  -- WHY WOULD WE PUT IT IN THIS BILL?

                                 MR. GOODELL:  IF I MAY FINISH MY QUESTION.  IS

                    THERE ANY LANGUAGE IN HERE THAT ALLOWS THE LANDLORD TO REVIEW THE

                    TENANTS AND GIVE CONSENT OR NOT?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  YES.  THE LANDLORD HAS 30 DAYS TO

                    APPROVE.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  WHERE IS THAT?  I APOLOGIZE.

                                 (PAUSE) (SIDEBAR)

                                 MR. HEVESI:  YEAH, ANDY, WE -- WE DIDN'T PUT

                    ANYTHING IN THE LAW THAT WOULD REQUIRE A LANDLORD TO TAKE IN A TENANT

                    THEY DID NOT WANT.  WE EXPRESSLY TRIED TO MAKE THIS AS PALATABLE TO THE

                    LANDLORDS AS POSSIBLE.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  OKAY.  NOW, YOU -- YOU HAVE

                    VARIOUS CONFIDENTIALITY PROVISIONS IN THIS.  DOES THIS PREVENT THE

                                         58



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    LANDLORD, THESE CONFIDENTIALITY PROVISIONS, FROM NOTIFYING --

                                 MR. HEVESI:  SORRY, ANDY, I -- I MISSED THE

                    BEGINNING.  SAY IT AGAIN, SIR.  SORRY.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  THERE ARE VARIOUS CONFIDENTIALITY

                    PROVISIONS IN THIS STATUTE.

                                 MR. HEVESI:  YES.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  DO THESE CONFIDENTIALITY PROVISIONS

                    MAKE IT ILLEGAL FOR A LANDLORD TO NOTIFY LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT THERE IS AN

                    ABUSER THAT MAY BE A CO-TENANT OR THAT THERE MAY BE AN ABUSER THAT HAS

                    ACCESS TO THE BUILDING, OR EVEN THAT A PARTICULAR TENANT IS -- IS THE

                    VICTIM OF ABUSE?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  YES.  AND, ANDY, WHILE I -- I

                    SYMPATHIZE WITH YOU ON THIS POINT, THIS BILL IS NOT A MECHANISM TO GO

                    OUT AND GET PEOPLE AND GET THEM INVOLVED IN THE POLICE AND THE JUDICIAL

                    SYSTEM.  THIS IS A MEASURE TO SAVE VICTIMS FROM ABUSE.  SO, I

                    UNDERSTAND WHY YOU'RE GOING THERE, BUT NO, WE WOULDN'T REQUIRE THAT,

                    AND WE CERTAINLY DIDN'T REQUIRE IT IN THIS BILL.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  WELL, YOU ACTUALLY PROHIBIT IT, DON'T

                    YOU?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  YES.  BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT TO US

                    THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS NOT BE LABELED "SURVIVORS" BY THEIR

                    LANDLORDS.  SO --

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  AS -- AS IN THE OTHER

                    CIRCUMSTANCE, NO ONE ELSE IS UP.

                                 MR. GOODELL, DO YOU WANT TO CONTINUE YOUR 15?

                                         59



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                                 MR. GOODELL:  MR. HEVESI, ARE YOU CONTINUING TO

                    YIELD?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  IF YOU'D LIKE ME TO.  I'D BE HAPPY TO.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  YES, THANK YOU.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  MR. HEVESI CONTINUES

                    TO YIELD.

                                 MR. HEVESI:  I DON'T THINK MY COLLEAGUES ARE SO

                    HAPPY ABOUT IT, BUT I AM -- AM HAPPY.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  WE MAY SHARE THAT... THAT

                    SENTIMENT, YOU KNOW.

                                 MR. HEVESI:  OKAY.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  I'M LOOKING AT THE LAST PAGE ON

                    LINES 27 THROUGH 30.  THIS STATES THAT A LANDLORD SHALL NOT DIVULGE THAT

                    ANYONE LEFT OR TERMINATED THE LEASE ACCORDING TO THIS PROVISION OF LAW,

                    CORRECT?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  THAT'S CORRECT.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  SO, HOW DOES THAT COMPORT WITH

                    FREE SPEECH RIGHTS?  I MEAN, WE'RE SAYING A LANDLORD CAN'T TALK ABOUT

                    WHY SOMEONE TERMINATED THEIR LEASE?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  YES.  I DON'T BELIEVE A LANDLORD'S RIGHT

                    TO FREE SPEECH INCLUDES HAVING TO OUT SOMEBODY FOR BEING A DOMESTIC

                    VIOLENCE VICTIM.  THAT IS CORRECT, IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THAT.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  THAT'S A VERY INTERESTING FIRST

                    AMENDMENT ARGUMENT.

                                 MR. HEVESI:  YEAH.

                                         60



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                                 MR. GOODELL:  OKAY.

                                 MR. HEVESI:  I WOULD ARGUE THAT THE RIGHTS OF THE

                    VICTIM TO PRIVACY SUPERSEDES THAT.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  CAN THE LANDLORD SUBSEQUENTLY

                    REFUSE TO RENT TO SUCH A TENANT?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  SAY THAT AGAIN?

                                 MR. GOODELL:  CAN THE LANDLORD SUBSEQUENTLY

                    REFUSE TO RENT TO SUCH A TENANT?

                                 MR. HEVESI:  TO WHICH TENANT?  I'M -- I'M UNCLEAR

                    ON THE QUESTION.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  I'LL WITHDRAW THE QUESTION.

                                 MR. HEVESI, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

                                 MR. HEVESI:  THANK YOU, MR. GOODELL.  APPRECIATE

                    IT.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  MR. SPEAKER, ON THE BILL.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  ON THE BILL, MR.

                    GOODELL.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  SINCE 2007, WE'VE HAD A PROCEDURE

                    IN PLACE WHERE A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC ABUSE WHO SEEKS TO OBTAIN AN

                    ORDER OF PROTECTION CAN ALSO OBTAIN A COURT ORDER TERMINATING THEIR

                    LEASE.  THAT PROCESS WHICH WE ALREADY HAVE IN PLACE BALANCES THE NEED

                    FOR PROTECTION WITH THE CONTRACTUAL RIGHTS THAT A LANDLORD WOULD HAVE.

                    AND IT TREATS VERY CAREFULLY THE FACT THAT WE WANT TO HAVE PEOPLE WHO

                    ARE FEARFUL AND HAVE AN ORDER OF PROTECTION, WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO HELP

                    THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE AN ORDER OF PROTECTION BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF

                                         61



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    THEIR LEASE.  THAT'S THE CURRENT LAW.  AND THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD REASONS

                    FOR THIS.

                                 UNDER THE CURRENT LAW, YOU HAVE AN INDEPENDENT

                    JUDICIAL REVIEW.  UNDER THIS BILL THERE'S NO INDEPENDENT JUDICIAL REVIEW.

                    UNDER CURRENT LAW, YOU HAVE AN ORDER OF PROTECTION, WHICH MEANS THAT

                    A JUDGE HAS DETERMINED THERE'S A DANGEROUS SITUATION.  UNDER THIS

                    PROPOSED LAW, THERE'S NO ORDER OF PROTECTION THAT'S REQUIRED.  UNDER THE

                    CURRENT LAW, THE LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS TO BE INVOLVED AND TRY TO STOP THE

                    ABUSE, IDENTIFY THE ABUSER AND TAKE STEPS TO PREVENT THIS FROM

                    OCCURRING.  UNDER THIS PROPOSED LAW, THERE'S NO REQUIREMENT FOR THE

                    FAMILY COURT OR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OR ANYONE ELSE TO BE INVOLVED,

                    AND NO -- NO REQUIREMENT THAT WE BE ADDRESSING THE ABUSER HIMSELF OR

                    HERSELF.

                                 UNDER CURRENT LAW THERE'S A REQUIREMENT THAT THERE BE

                    A CONNECTION BETWEEN THE ALLEGED ABUSE AND THE TERMINATION OF THE

                    LEASE.  THIS ONE HAS ONE, BUT IT -- IT'S A DETERMINATION THAT'S MADE NOT

                    BY THE TENANT UNDER OATH OR IN A COURT PROCEEDING, BUT CAN BE MADE BY

                    A SOCIAL WORKER IN AN UNVERIFIED STATEMENT.  UNDER THIS PROPOSAL, THE

                    TENANTS HAVE A STATUTORY RIGHT TO REPLACE THE CO-TENANT.  STATUTORY RIGHT.

                    THAT'S A NEW CONCEPT, ISN'T IT?  BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, ANYONE ELSE, IF

                    YOU'RE IN ANY OTHER LEASE ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND

                    ONE OF THE CO-TENANTS LEAVE, YOU DON'T HAVE A STATUTORY RIGHT TO REPLACE

                    THEM, YOU HAVE TO GET THE PERMISSION OF THE LANDLORD.  THE LANDLORD

                    MIGHT WANT TO KNOW ARE THEY -- DO THEY HAVE A HISTORY OF SELLING DRUGS

                    OUT OF THE APARTMENT?  DO THEY HAVE A PET?  ARE THEY A SMOKER?  DO

                                         62



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    THEY HAVE A DECENT CREDIT REPORT?  THIS LAW SAYS YOU HAVE A STATUTORY

                    RIGHT TO REPLACE THEM WITHOUT ANY APPROVAL BY THE LANDLORD.  NO

                    APPROVAL REQUIRED.

                                 UNDER THE CURRENT LAW, AS I MENTIONED, WE WANT TO

                    INVOLVE THE FAMILY COURT, SOCIAL SERVICES, LAW ENFORCEMENT.  UNDER

                    THIS LAW, IT'S ILLEGAL FOR A LANDLORD TO REPORT THIS ABUSE SITUATION TO THE

                    AUTHORITIES.  WE CALL IT CONFIDENTIALITY.  WE GO ONE STEP FURTHER AND WE

                    SAY IT'S ALSO ILLEGAL FOR THE LANDLORD TO EVEN TALK ABOUT WHY THE TENANT

                    LEFT.  THAT'S AN INTERESTING SITUATION, ISN'T IT?  IMAGINE YOU'RE THE

                    LANDLORD, YOU RENT AN APARTMENT TO FOUR PEOPLE, THEY'RE CO-TENANTS, ONE

                    OF THEM EXERCISES THEIR OPTION HERE, YOU GO TO OTHER THREE TENANTS AND

                    SAY, SORRY GUYS, YOUR CO-TENANT LEFT, YOU GUYS HAVE TO EITHER FIND A

                    REPLACEMENT TENANT OR YOU PICK UP THE FULL FREIGHT.  AND THEY SAY, WELL,

                    WHY DID SO AND SO LEAVE?  I CAN'T TELL YA.  I'D BE FINED $1,000 AND FACE

                    SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES IF I TOLD YOU WHY YOUR CO-TENANT LEFT.

                                 THE CURRENT LAW IS A SERIES OF CHECKS AND BALANCES.

                    IT'S A CAREFULLY THOUGHT-OUT SYSTEM.  I BELIEVE WE SHOULD STAY WITH THE

                    CURRENT LAW AND NOT MOVE IN THIS DIRECTION.  THANK YOU, SIR.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  READ THE LAST SECTION.

                                 THE CLERK:  THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  THE CLERK WILL RECORD

                    THE VOTE.

                                 (THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

                                 ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES?  ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

                                 (THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

                                         63



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                                 THE BILL IS PASSED.

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES:  WE'LL NOW GO TO

                    CALENDAR NO. 298.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  THE CLERK WILL READ.


                                 THE CLERK:  ASSEMBLY NO. A05608, CALENDAR NO.

                    298, WEINSTEIN, SEAWRIGHT, GLICK, JAFFEE, D'URSO, BARRON, COLTON,

                    TAYLOR, GRIFFIN.  AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, IN RELATION

                    TO EXPANDING THE CRIMES INCLUDED IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TO INCLUDE

                    IDENTITY THEFT, GRAND LARCENY AND COERCION.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  READ THE LAST SECTION.

                                 ON A MOTION BY MS. WEINSTEIN, THE SENATE BILL IS

                    BEFORE THE HOUSE.  THE SENATE BILL IS ADVANCED.  READ THE LAST SECTION.

                                 THE CLERK:  THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  THE CLERK WILL RECORD

                    THE VOTE.

                                 (THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

                                 ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES?  ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

                                 (THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

                                 THE BILL IS PASSED.

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES:  MR. SPEAKER, IF WE CAN

                    GO NOW TO CALENDAR NO. 299 BY MS. WEINSTEIN, CALENDAR NO. 300 BY

                    MS. WEINSTEIN AND CALENDAR NO. 315 BY MS. WEINSTEIN.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  THE CLERK WILL READ.

                                         64



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019


                                 THE CLERK:  ASSEMBLY NO. A05614, CALENDAR NO.

                    299, WEINSTEIN, JAFFEE, PERRY, ZEBROWSKI, SEAWRIGHT, M.G. MILLER,

                    PAULIN, TITUS, BICHOTTE, BRONSON, TAYLOR.  AN ACT TO AMEND THE CIVIL

                    PRACTICE LAW AND RULES, IN RELATION TO EXEMPTING PARTIES LIABLE FOR

                    FAILURE TO OBEY OR ENFORCE CERTAIN ORDERS OF PROTECTION OR TEMPORARY

                    ORDERS OF PROTECTION IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR DOMESTIC RELATIONS MATTERS

                    FROM THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 16 OF SUCH LAW, ENTITLED "LIMITED

                    LIABILITY OF PERSONS JOINTLY LIABLE."

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  ON A MOTION BY MS.

                    WEINSTEIN, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE.  THE SENATE BILL IS

                    ADVANCED.

                                 AN EXPLANATION IS REQUESTED, MS. WEINSTEIN.

                                 MS. WEINSTEIN:  YES.  VERY SIMPLY, THIS BILL -- YES,

                    THIS BILL SAYS THAT ONCE LIABILITY HAS BEEN FOUND AGAINST A MUNICIPALITY,

                    THAT THEY COULD BE LIABLE IN THE INSTANCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FOR

                    FAILURE TO PROTECT THE VICTIM BASED ON ASSURANCES THAT THEY -- THEY

                    WOULD, THEN THEY COULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENTIRE AMOUNT OF

                    DAMAGES.  JUST TO -- TO CLARIFY, WE DO NOTHING TO CHANGE THE LIABILITY,

                    THE STANDARD OF LIABILITY, WHICH IS EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY STRICT, IN ORDER

                    TO FIND A MUNICIPALITY HAD AN OBLIGATION TO PROTECT THE VICTIM.  BUT

                    ONCE THAT STANDARD, THE CURRENT STANDARD IN LAW IS MET, THEN THIS SAYS

                    THAT THE VICTIM SHOULD NOT BE THE SELF-INSURER OF HER DAMAGES.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  MR. RA.

                                 MR. RA:  THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.  WILL THE SPONSOR

                    YIELD?

                                         65



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                                 MS. WEINSTEIN:  YES.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  MS. WEINSTEIN

                    YIELDS.

                                 MR. RA:  OKAY.  AND THANK YOU FOR THAT EXPLANATION,

                    BECAUSE I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR OUR COLLEAGUES TO -- TO UNDERSTAND

                    WHAT THIS BILL -- THAT IT DOESN'T CREATE LIABILITY WHERE THERE WOULDN'T BE

                    ANY, BUT WHAT IT HAS TO DO WITH IS HOW THE LIABILITY IS ACTUALLY SPREAD

                    OUT AMONGST POTENTIALLY MULTIPLE PEOPLE --

                                 MS. WEINSTEIN:  THE "DAMAGES", CORRECT.

                                 MR. RA:  YEAH, THE "DAMAGES", I SHOULD SAY.  SO,

                    JUST -- JUST, THOUGH, FOR -- FOR CLARIFICATION AND I -- I KNOW WE HAVE

                    DONE THIS BILL MANY TIMES BEFORE.  UNDER NEW YORK STATE LAW, THERE

                    ARE EXCEPTIONS TO THIS, BUT -- BUT NORMALLY, IF -- IF SOMEBODY WHO THEIR

                    PORTION OF DAMAGES IS LESS THAN 50 PERCENT, THEIR RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR

                    PORTION OF THE DAMAGES -- AND -- AND THAT'S THE WAY THE DAMAGES ARE

                    APPORTIONED, THEY CAN'T BE HELD RESPONSIBILE FOR THE ENTIRE SHARE.

                                 MS. WEINSTEIN:  CORRECT.

                                 MR. RA:  THIS CREATES AT NEW EXCEPTION UNDER WHICH

                    THOSE MUNICIPALITIES, WHERE THAT LIABILITY HAS ALREADY BEEN FOUND, CAN

                    BE HELD LIABLE FOR THE ENTIRE AMOUNT OF THE DAMAGES, CORRECT?

                                 MS. WEINSTEIN:  CORRECT.

                                 MR. RA:  AND THAT'S -- THAT'S WITHOUT REGARD TO THE

                    PERCENTAGE TO WHICH THEY ARE FOUND TO BE LIABLE.

                                 MS. WEINSTEIN:  CORRECT.

                                 MR. RA:  OKAY.  SO, IT COULD BE 10 PERCENT, 5 PERCENT

                                         66



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    THEY WOULD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENTIRE AMOUNT, CORRECT?

                                 MS. WEINSTEIN:  YES.  AND IN -- JUST TO

                    REEMPHASIZE WHAT -- WHAT YOU -- YOU SAID AND WHAT I SAID, THERE HAVE

                    BEEN VERY FEW INSTANCES, IN FACT, WHERE THE COURTS HAVE FOUND THAT THE

                    POLICE OWED THAT SPECIAL -- MUNICIPALITY OWED THAT SPECIAL DUTY OF

                    CARE.  BUT IN THOSE VERY LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THERE IS LIABILITY,

                    THIS WOULD ALLOW THE VICTIM TO NOT BE THE SELF-INSURER OF HER OWN

                    DAMAGES.

                                 MR. RA:  OKAY.  NOW, IF -- IF A SITUATION DOES COME

                    UP -- I MEAN, NORMALLY, WHAT'S -- WHAT'S PROBABLY GOING TO HAPPEN HERE

                    IS, YOU KNOW, THIS IS GOING TO LIKELY BE THE "BIGGER POCKET"

                    SO-TO-SPEAK, FOR THE -- FOR THE VICTIM OF THE ABUSE TO -- TO GO AFTER FOR

                    DAMAGES.  BUT DOES THE MUNICIPALITY HAVE ANY -- ANY RECOURSE TO GO

                    AFTER ANY -- ANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO MAY BE AT FAULT IN THESE SITUATIONS?

                                 MS. WEINSTEIN:  WELL, CERTAINLY THE -- THE ABUSER

                    IS GENERALLY GOING TO HAVE -- BE THE MOST AT FAULT, RIGHT?  SO, TO THE

                    EXTENT THEY HAVE RESOURCES, OBVIOUSLY THEY WOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO --

                    THOSE RESOURCES WOULD BE ABLE TO BE RECOVERED AGAINST THAT -- THE

                    ABUSER THEMSELVES.

                                 MR. RA:  SO, THE MUNICIPALITY COULD THEN GO AFTER --

                                 MS. WEINSTEIN:  SURE.

                                 MR. RA:  IF THE ABUSER --

                                 MS. WEINSTEIN:  YES.

                                 MR. RA:  -- DID HAVE SOME FINANCIAL MEANS TO -- TO

                    BE ABLE TO PAY THE JUDGMENT --

                                         67



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                                 MS. WEINSTEIN:  CORRECT.

                                 MR. RA:  -- THE MUNICIPALITY COULD GO AFTER THEM FOR

                    THAT, CORRECT?

                                 MS. WEINSTEIN:  CORRECT.

                                 MR. RA:  ALL RIGHT.  THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

                                 MR. SPEAKER, ON THE BILL.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER DILAN:  ON THE BILL.

                                 MR. RA:  THANK YOU.  AND -- AND I THINK IT IS

                    IMPORTANT, AGAIN, TO POINT OUT THAT THIS DOESN'T CREATE LIABILITY WHERE

                    THERE IS NONE AND THERE IS A -- A PRETTY STRINGENT STANDARD FOR WHEN, YOU

                    KNOW, THERE WOULD BE LIABILITY.  WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW,

                    PARTICULARLY RUN-OF-THE-MILL SITUATIONS, BUT, I -- I THINK THERE IS A

                    CONCERN THAT HAS BEEN RAISED ON THE MUNICIPAL SIDE OF THIS EQUATION

                    WITH THE FACT THAT IT'S LIKELY GOING TO BE THE ABUSER WHO IS FOUND MOST

                    RESPONSIBLE AND, YOU KNOW, IT COULD BE 90 PERCENT, 95 PERCENT

                    RESPONSIBLE AND THE MUNICIPALITY IS MAYBE FOUND 5 OR 10 PERCENT

                    RESPONSIBLE, BUT THEN WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FULL JUDGMENT.

                                 I -- I THINK, YOU KNOW, IT -- IT MAKES SENSE THAT WE'RE

                    TRYING TO ENSURE THAT IF THE BURDEN FALLS SOMEWHERE, THAT IT DOESN'T FALL

                    ON THE VICTIM, BUT, YOU KNOW, THE MUNICIPALITY IS GOING TO BE LIKELY THE

                    -- THE DEEPEST POCKET TO GO AFTER.  AND IN A SITUATION WHERE THERE ARE

                    NO, YOU KNOW, FINANCIAL MEANS TO PAY A JUDGMENT ON -- ON THE SIDE OF

                    THE -- OF THE ABUSER, WHEN THE ABUSER DOES NOT HAVE THE FINANCIAL

                    MEANS TO PAY THE JUDGMENT, THE FULL WEIGHT OF IT IS GOING TO FALL ON THE

                    MUNICIPALITY.  AND -- AND I KNOW THAT THAT IS A CONCERN THAT MANY

                                         68



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    ORGANIZATIONS HAVE RAISED AND A REASON WHY SOME OF OUR COLLEAGUES

                    WILL BE VOTING IN THE NEGATIVE.

                                 THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  READ THE LAST SECTION.

                                 THE CLERK:  THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE 60TH

                    DAY.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  THE CLERK WILL RECORD

                    THE VOTE.

                                 (THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

                                 ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES?  ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

                                 (THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

                                 THE BILL IS PASSED.


                                 THE CLERK:  ASSEMBLY NO. A05618, CALENDAR NO.

                    300, WEINSTEIN, SIMOTAS, GLICK, JAFFEE, FAHY, L. ROSENTHAL, PERRY,

                    ZEBROWSKI, M.G. MILLER, PAULIN, TITUS, GOTTFRIED, LAVINE, COLTON,

                    SEAWRIGHT, BICHOTTE, BURKE, TAYLOR, GRIFFIN.  AN ACT TO AMEND THE

                    EXECUTIVE LAW, IN RELATION TO PROHIBITING EMPLOYERS FROM

                    DISCRIMINATING AGAINST VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE; AND TO REPEAL

                    CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF SUCH LAW RELATING THERETO.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  ON A MOTION BY MS.

                    WEINSTEIN, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE.  THE SENATE BILL IS

                    ADVANCED.  READ THE LAST SECTION.

                                 THE CLERK:  THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE 90TH

                    DAY.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  THE CLERK WILL RECORD

                                         69



                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    THE VOTE.

                                 (THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

                                 ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES?  ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

                                 (THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

                                 THE BILL IS PASSED.


                                 THE CLERK:  ASSEMBLY NO. A07395, CALENDAR NO.

                    315, WEINSTEIN.  AN ACT TO AMEND THE FAMILY COURT ACT AND THE

                    CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW, IN RELATION TO NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS OF VICTIMS

                    OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN CRIMINAL AND FAMILY COURT PROCEEDINGS.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  MR. GOODELL.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  ON THE BILL, SIR.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  ON THE BILL.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  UNDER CURRENT LAW, EVERY POLICE

                    OFFICER WHO IS INVESTIGATING A FAMILY OFFENSE IS REQUIRED TO GIVE A

                    NOTICE TO THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE INVOLVED THAT GIVE THEM A STATEMENT

                    OF WHAT SERVICES MIGHT BE AVAILABLE AND WHAT THEY CAN REQUEST.  AND

                    THE CURRENT LAW, IN MY OPINION, IS VERY WELL-WRITTEN AND IT DOES A GREAT

                    JOB.  AND THE -- THE SECTION THAT DEALS PARTICULARLY WITH POLICE OFFICERS

                    UNDER CURRENT LAW SAYS IF YOU ARE A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, YOU

                    MAY REQUEST THAT THE OFFICER ASSIST YOU IN A NUMBER OF THINGS.

                                 SO, EVEN THOUGH I THINK WE HAVE A VERY WELL-WRITTEN

                    CURRENT NOTICE, OCA HAS FELT THAT THEY SHOULD CHANGE IT, AND WHEN THEY

                    CHANGED IT, THIS IS HOW THEY CHANGED THE LANGUAGE:  INSTEAD OF SAYING

                    YOU CAN REQUEST THE OFFICER TO ASSIST YOU, THE NEW LANGUAGE SAYS, THIS IS

                    WHAT THE POLICE CAN DO.  AND THEN THEY LIST A WHOLE BUNCH OF THINGS.

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                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    THE POLICE CAN HELP YOU FIND A PLACE -- A SAFE PLACE.  OR, TAKE YOU TO A

                    FRIEND'S HOUSE.  OR, GET YOUR PERSONAL DWELLINGS.

                                 SO, THE -- THE DIFFERENCE IN THE LANGUAGE IS THE FIRST

                    ONE SAYS THIS IS WHAT YOU CAN REQUEST THE POLICE TO HELP YOU DO, AND THE

                    SECOND ONE SAYS THIS IS WHAT THE POLICE CAN DO.  AND THE PROBLEM WITH

                    THAT IS IT'S GOING -- WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WHEN PEOPLE

                    IN A FAMILY OFFENSE ARE NOW ASKING THE POLICE TO BECOME THEIR

                    CHAUFFEUR WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT WHEN A POLICE OFFICER SAYS, I'M

                    SORRY, I -- I CAN'T DO THAT NOW BECAUSE I'M TIED UP, OR, I CAN REFER YOU

                    TO SOMEBODY ELSE, THEY SAY, NO, WAIT A MINUTE, THE NOTICE YOU SAID SAYS

                    YOU CAN DO THIS, YOU CAN DO THIS, YOU CAN DO THIS.  SO, THE EXISTING

                    LANGUAGE IS EXACTLY THE RIGHT LANGUAGE, IN MY OPINION, AND THE NEW

                    LANGUAGE IS GOING TO CREATE PROBLEMS.

                                 BUT THE SECOND INTERESTING THING ABOUT THIS BILL IS IT

                    REQUIRES THAT THE NOTICE BE GIVEN IN ENGLISH, I'M OKAY WITH THAT;

                    SPANISH, I'M OKAY WITH THAT.  BUT IT ALSO REQUIRES A NOTICE BE GIVEN IN

                    RUSSIAN OR CHINESE.  IT DOESN'T IDENTIFY WHICH CHINESE DIALECT, BY THE

                    WAY.  SO, JUST FOR FUN, I LOOKED IT UP.  HOW COME WE'RE NOT GIVING IT IN

                    ANY OTHER FOREIGN LANGUAGES?  ARE WE, LIKE, PREJUDICED AGAINST THE

                    ITALIANS, WHO, BY THE WAY, HAVE A THIRD MORE FOREIGN BORN ITALIANS IN --

                    IN NEW YORK STATE THAN RUSSIANS.  I CAN COUNT ON ONE HAND THE

                    NUMBER OF RUSSIANS IN MY DISTRICT.  BUT WHY RUSSIAN AND NOT

                    PHILIPPINES, WHO HAVE -- FILIPINOS WHO HAVE MORE THAN RUSSIANS.  WE

                    HAVE MORE ITALIANS.  WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE FROM BANGLADESH.  WE HAVE

                    ALMOST TWO-AND-A-HALF TIMES MORE FROM INDIA.

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                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                                 NOW, I DON'T THINK OCA IS INVOLVED IN COLLUSION WITH

                    THE RUSSIANS, BUT WE COULDN'T CERTAINLY ASK OUR NEW YORK STATE

                    ATTORNEY GENERAL TO INVESTIGATE THAT.  AND I KNOW WE'RE IN A TRADE WAR

                    WITH THE CHINESE, BUT I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS REPORT, BY LAW,

                    WOULD HAVE TO BE PROVIDED IN RUSSIAN AND CHINESE AND NOT JUST SIMPLY

                    SAY, LOOK, IT'LL BE IN ENGLISH, SPANISH, AND IF YOU WANT SOME OTHER

                    TRANSLATION, PLEASE ASK.  THANK YOU, SIR.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  READ THE LAST SECTION.

                                 THE CLERK:  THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE 90TH

                    DAY.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  THE CLERK WILL RECORD

                    THE VOTE.

                                 (THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

                                 MS. WEINSTEIN TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.

                                 MS. WEINSTEIN:  THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, JUST

                    VERY BRIEFLY.  THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS LEGISLATION IS THAT IT WAS -- THIS

                    NOTICE WAS PUT INTO PLACE 25 YEARS AGO, AND WE'VE MADE NUMEROUS

                    CHANGES IN THE LAW IN TERMS OF PROTECTIONS FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

                    VICTIMS.  SO THIS UPDATES THE NOTICE RELATING TO THE GROWING LIST OF

                    FAMILY OFFENSES AND HOW PROTECTION FOR PETS AND SERVICE ANIMALS OF

                    VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.  IT ALSO REQUIRES AT -- AS WAS STATED

                    DURING THE DISCUSSION PREVIOUSLY, AS -- AT A MINIMUM, THAT IT BE

                    AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH, SPANISH, CHINESE AND RUSSIAN.  IT'S ONLY THE FLOOR,

                    NOT -- NOT THE CEILING, SO WE CERTAINLY WOULD HOPE THAT OCA WOULD

                    TRANSLATE INTO LANGUAGES THAT ARE APPROPRIATE FOR THE COMMUNITY.  BUT

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                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    IT'S ONLY AVAILABILITY.  IT WILL NOT BE GIVEN TO SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T

                    SPEAK THAT LANGUAGE, BUT WILL, IN FACT, HELP.

                                 AND PART OF -- THE OTHER THING THE BILL -- THIS NOTICE

                    WILL DO, IT WILL SIMPLIFY THE ENGLISH.  THE ORIGINAL TEXT AND -- MIND

                    YOU, THIS BILL PASSED UNANIMOUSLY LAST YEAR, THE ORIGINAL -- THE CURRENT

                    NOTICE, YOU NEED ALMOST A COLLEGE -- IT'S BEEN STUDIED -- YOU NEED A

                    COLLEGE DEGREE TO REALLY UNDERSTAND THE LANGUAGE.  THIS BILL IS PLAINER,

                    SIMPLER ENGLISH AND IS DESIGNED MORE FOR SOMEONE IN A MIDDLE SCHOOL

                    CAPACITY.

                                 SO, I WOULD ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE FOR THE

                    BILL AGAIN THIS YEAR, AS THEY DID LAST YEAR, AND WE CAN HELP PROTECT

                    VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.  I VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  MS. WEINSTEIN IN THE

                    AFFIRMATIVE.

                                 MR. GOODELL.

                                 MR. GOODELL:  TO EXPLAIN MY VOTE, SIR.  WHEN IT

                    COMES TO A STATUTORY REQUIREMENT THAT NOTICES BE PRINTED IN RUSSIAN,

                    MY VOTE IS NYET, OR NO.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  MR. GOODELL IN THE

                    NEGATIVE.

                                 ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES?  ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

                                 (THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

                                 THE BILL IS PASSED.

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES:  MR. SPEAKER, IF YOU

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                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    COULD CALL ON MR. OTIS FOR AN ANNOUNCEMENT, PLEASE.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  MR. OTIS FOR THE

                    PURPOSES OF A [SIC] ANNOUNCEMENT.

                                 MR. OTIS:  IN A NOD TO "LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO

                    NIGHT", THERE'LL BE A DEMOCRATIC CONFERENCE AT THE CONCLUSION OF

                    SESSION TODAY.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  DEMOCRATIC

                    CONFERENCE, END OF SESSION.

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES:  MR. SPEAKER, DO YOU

                    HAVE ANY HOUSEKEEPING OR RESOLUTIONS?

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  WE HAVE BOTH, MRS.

                    PEOPLES-STOKES.

                                 ON A MOTION BY MS. SOLAGES, PAGE 12, CALENDAR NO.

                    164, BILL NO. A.02315, AMENDMENTS ARE RECEIVED AND ADOPTED.

                                 NUMEROUS FINE RESOLUTIONS WHICH WE WILL TAKE UP

                    WITH ONE VOTE.  ON THE RESOLUTIONS, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING

                    AYE; ALL THOSE OPPOSED SAY, NEIN.  AND NYET, OR WHATEVER MR. GOODELL

                    SAID.

                                 (LAUGHTER)

                                 THE RESOLUTIONS ARE ADOPTED.

                                 (WHEREUPON, ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NOS. 394-401

                    WERE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.)

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

                                 MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES:  MR. SPEAKER, I NOW

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                    NYS ASSEMBLY                                                      MAY 14, 2019

                    MOVE THAT THE ASSEMBLY STAND ADJOURNED UNTIL 10:00 A.M., WEDNESDAY,

                    MAY THE 15TH, TOMORROW BEING A SESSION DAY.

                                 ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY:  THE ASSEMBLY STANDS

                    ADJOURNED.

                                 (WHEREUPON, AT 5:23 P.M., THE ASSEMBLY STOOD

                    ADJOURNED UNTIL WEDNESDAY, MAY 15TH AT 10:00 A.M., WEDNESDAY

                    BEING A SESSION DAY.)





































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