New York State Senator Norman J. Levy (R. C-Merrick) recently summarized key new laws that became effective on Jan. 1.
Noting that the 1997 legislative session was a very productive one that resulted in the passage of legislation regarding a wide range of issues, Levy pointed out that among the many laws which took effect with the new year, are unprecedented school property tax relief for homeowners, an end to the outrageous practice of "drive-through" mastectomies, and increases in child support payments and enforcement.
Levy announced the following summary of several bills which passed during the 1997 session that became effective on Jan. 1:
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Chapter 20:
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Mandates insurance coverage for patients who have mastectomies as medically appropriate.
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Chapter 21:
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Mandates insurance coverage for breast reconstruction following mastectomy.
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Chapter 577:
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Enacts the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights Act of 1997 providing better protections for taxpayers affected by certain tax warrants, levies, garnishments, or tax liens.
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Chapter 44:
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Requires a reduction in homeowner's insurance premiums for residential real property fitted or retrofitted with hurricane-resistant windows and doors.
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Chapter 78:
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Directs the Superintendent of Insurance to provide for a reduction in rates of commercial risk insurance for real property fitted with hurricane-resistant glass.
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Chapter 107:
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Requires lessors of personal property to deposit security deposits in interest-bearing accounts.
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Chapter 168:
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Allows the exclusion of veterans' disability benefits from the definition of income for purposes of the senior citizen partial real property tax exemption, at local option.
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Chapter 398:
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Improves the administration and implementation of child support enforcement, the establishment of paternity, and the collection of child support; brings the state into compliance with the provisions of the Federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996; and facilitates an automated administrative method for review and adjustment of child support orders through the application of a cost-of-living adjustment.
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Chapter 399:
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Establishes a solar electric generating equipment tax credit against personal income tax or an individual taxpayer equal to 25 percent of qualified solar electric generating equipment expenditures.
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Chapter 426:
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Provides access to and equivalent coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of conditions, complaints, ailments, disorders, and injuries by a licensed chiropractor.
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Chapter 508:
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Includes cats within provisions regarding leaving the scene of injury to certain animals without reporting and increases the penalties for leaving such scene.
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Chapter 647:
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Requires that the informational leaflet given to maternity patients include information about post-partum depression.
A complete listing of the laws effective Jan. 1, as well as a brochure entitled "Significant Acts of the 1997 Session" is available to residents who contact Levy's district office located at 30 South Ocean Avenue, Room 305, Freeport, NY 11566, or who call 546-4100.
