Assemblywoman Weinstein has successfully secured funding to purchase two new patrol vans for the 63rd and the 67th Precinct Police Auxiliaries. The 63rd and 67th Police Precinct Auxiliaries, volunteer civilian patrol units, are some of the largest units in New York City. According to NYPD, these new patrol vans will significantly enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of these units in mobilizing and responding to community events. When the van is not being used by the auxiliary, it is available for the Precinct and helps improve police visibility. Additionally, the Assemblywoman was responsible for securing state funding for the purchase of patrol bicycles delivered to the 63rd, 67th and 69th Police Precinct Auxiliary Units last fall.
Banning BPA in Baby Bottle Products
The toxin Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a known hormone disruptor used in the production of
plastics for many child care products including pacifiers, baby bottles, sippy cups, cup
lids, baby bottle liners and straws. BPA has been linked to breast cancer, prostate cancer,
early-onset puberty and polycystic ovary syndrome. In an effort to protect our children,
Assemblywoman Weinstein sponsored a new law which bans the manufacture, distribution and
sale of child care products containing BPA for children three years of age or under.
Keeping Sex Offenders Out of the Community
Families will be protected by greater oversight of registered sex offenders through a new law
co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Weinstein requiring the state’s criminal justice agency to
provide the New York City Housing Authority with access to the sex offender registry for level
2 or 3 sex offenders. This will help ensure that sex offenders are not allowed to move into public
housing. Despite a federal law prohibiting most sex offenders from living in public housing, a
report last year found 126 sex offenders living in New York City public housing facilities, up
12% from the year before. Weinstein’s legislation will provide NYCHA with the information to put
an end to that practice.
Is Here For You
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates the number of children with autism is 1 in 110 nation-wide. Current health insurance coverage requirements for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are unclear, leaving parents wondering whether their insurance provider will cover the medical care their child needs. Assemblywoman Weinstein sponsored legislation eliminating the guesswork and providing families with peace of mind in seeking essential treatment for their autistic child by requiring insurance companies to provide lifetime coverage for the screening, diagnosis and treatment of ASD.
Families will be protected by greater oversight of registered sex offenders through a new law co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Weinstein requiring the state’s criminal justice agency to provide the New York City Housing Authority with access to the sex offender registry for level 2 or 3 sex offenders. This will help ensure that sex offenders are not allowed to move into public housing. Despite a federal law prohibiting most sex offenders from living in public housing, a report last year found 126 sex offenders living in New York City public housing facilities, up 12% from the year before. Weinstein’s legislation will provide NYCHA with the information to put an end to that practice.
Prevent New Gangs From Forming
The incidence of gang violence in New York State remains very alarming, this measure, sponsored by Assemblywoman Weinstein, A11087, will give police and District Attorneys an important tool to investigate, prosecute and prevent gang activity by creating a gang assessment, intervention, prevention and suppression program in New York. This builds upon Assemblywoman Weinstein’s commitment to give law enforcement the tools they need to help keep our neighborhoods safe and protected.
Consumer Credit Fairness Act
Assemblywoman Weinstein’s Consumer Credit Fairness Act (A7558) which passed the Assembly, ensures that persons who are sued in consumer credit transactions receive the benefit of fair procedures free from abusive practices by debt collectors.
Weinstein’s bill would stop companies from buying debts for pennies on the dollar and then engaging in abusive collection practices, filing lawsuits with flimsy or little information and obtaining default judgments often utilizing improper “sewer service.” When a consumer discovers a lawsuit in time to defend it, they almost always win.
Highlights include:
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Shortens the statute of limitations to three years from current six years.
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Provides notice to consumers before a default judgment can be entered.
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Requires debt buyers to disclose the details of debts.
Student MetroCards Saved:
Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein understands that both the state and the MTA face serious fiscal challenges, but she made it clear from the beginning that she would not allow our children to lose their transportation to school.
Funding in the state budget will ensure that:
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Students will continue to receive free or reduced rides.
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Parents won’t be forced to choose between household needs and MetroCards for their children.
Assemblywoman Weinstein fought hard to preserve student MetroCards, “A student’s job is going to school every day without worrying about how to afford getting there. We helped put a stop to the MTA’s ill-conceived plan to eliminate student MetroCards. In this difficult economy, the last thing we should do is make it more difficult for working families to send their children to school,” said Assemblywoman Weinstein.
Need for Late Dismissal School Buses:
Assemblywoman Weinstein is sponsoring legislation that will solve the problem faced by many families whose children’s dismissal time is past 5pm. Despite state law requiring the Department of Education to provide free bus service for young students that live beyond certain distances from their school, NYC refuses to do so beyond 4:30, forcing families to shoulder the full cost of transportation. The Assemblywoman’s bill A11040 would solve this inequity.
Senior Centers Saved:
The state budget restores vital Title XX funding to help keep our local senior centers open to serve community residents. Earlier this year, the Mayor had announced the likely closing of 50 senior centers around the city. The state funding that Assemblywoman Weinstein successfully fought to restore will ensure that centers will not have to close. Many seniors might live in isolation but for congregate meal and recreation programs provided by their local senior centers.
Summer Youth Employment Program Saved:
This summer 5,000 NYC youngsters will have meaningful employment due to the budget restoration of $8.7 million to save the NYC Summer Youth Employment program.
Supporting Crime Victims:
As the Chair of the Assembly’s Judiciary Committee, Helene Weinstein led efforts to expand support for crime victims by replacing the outdated Crime Victims Board with the newly created State Office of Victims Services. This will streamline the claims process and provide victims with easier access to support services.
Rebate offers have become an increasingly popular method of attracting consumers into stores. Beginning January 1st, a new law requires any entity offering a rebate to conspicuously disclose to the consumer what form the rebate will be issued in, if it is not being offered in cash or check, and if any additional fees may apply.
Commercial vehicle owners who illegally park their large trucks overnight on city streets create eyesores and take up residential parking space, largely because the current $50 fine is so low. This fine is not a deterrent when compared to the cost of private off-street parking lots. To eliminate this quality of life problem, Assemblywoman sponsored legislation, awaiting the Governor’s approval, increasing fines for parking large trucks overnight on residential streets to $250 for the first violation, and $500 for any others within six months.
