Senator Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. (R,C-Merrick) announced today that 39 new laws are scheduled to take effect beginning Jan. 1.

"I committed myself to support legislation that will preserve and improve our quality of life on Long Island and throughout the state," Senator Fuschillo said. "During the 1998 Legislative Session and for the first time in state history, we initiated public conference committees to negotiate a timely state budget, I supported $743 million in new tax cuts and $900 million in state aid to education. We enhanced the largest health insurance program in the nation for children from poor and lower middle income families, approved an historic package of unemployment insurance reforms to benefit business and labor, passed the largest-ever pension increase for public retirees and helped create new jobs and continue New York's unprecedented economic growth."

According to Fuschillo, the following is a list of some of the new laws to take effect in 1999:

The threshold for the permanent state sales tax exemption on clothing will be increased from $100 to $110 and adds footwear within this amount as eligible non-taxable clothing. Authorizes an exemption from the state sales tax on clothing and footwear costing less than $500 during the week of Jan. 17-24. Under this new law, more children will now be eligible to receive health care coverage through the New York State's Child Health Plus program, without a family contribution due to the raised family income level. In addition, Child Health Plus' coverage now includes dental and vision care, nonprescription drugs, speech and hearing services, inpatient and outpatient mental health and alcohol and substance abuse services. Also, it expands Medicaid eligibility to include many children under 19 years of age who are not otherwise eligible for Medicaid. This legislation will ensure that all children, regardless of age, income or social status, have access to top quality health care. For a brochure about Child Health Plus, please contact Senator Fuschillo at 546-4100. This new law will protect the innocent taxpayers who were victimized by a spouse who intentionally prepared an erroneous income tax return. Formerly, both husband and wife were liable for the full amount of taxes due when a joint return was filed, even if one spouse filed fraudulently. This new law establishes a new Spinal Cord Injury Research Board, responsible for monitoring and awarding grants for the purpose of research related to spinal cord injuries, and appropriates $8.5 million to a new Spinal Cord Injury Research Trust Fund from moneys collected through traffic violation surcharges. Physicians and hospitals will now be required to release original mammogram results, rather than copies of them, to patients and their authorized representatives. This new law strengthens existing laws to discourage the sale of alcohol to underage persons by mandating the revocation of liquor licenses for repeat offenders.

Enacts a "zero-tolerance" law prohibiting alcohol consumption while boating for those under 21 years old and imposes stringent penalties for violations including suspensions of operating privileges.

Increased Benefits for Families of Deceased Volunteer Firefighters

This new law increases death benefits paid to the families of deceased volunteer firefighters under the Volunteer Firefighters' Benefits Law, including an increase for funeral expenses and the lump-sum payment to the surviving spouses and their families.

Mandates studies to determine new safety requirements for ice cream trucks designed to warn oncoming vehicles of the likelihood of pedestrians in or about the vicinity of ice cream trucks.

Continued Benefits for Unremarried Spouses of Deceased Blind Veterans

Any unremarried spouse of a veteran who, at the time of death, was a recipient or eligible for the $500 annual benefit to blind or visually impaired veterans, will now have a continuation of the benefit regardless of whether the marriage occurred prior to March 14, 1936 as is currently the case.

This new law will make New York more economically competitive and enable to create and retain jobs by cutting the truck mileage portion of the Highway Use Tax by 25 percent. By putting more money back into the pockets of hard working middle-class families, small businesses and large companies, New York will strengthen its economic revival into the next millennium.

"In the next session, I will work diligently to build upon my commitment to support legislation that will enhance education, remain tough on crime, enhance quality health care and continue to cut taxes," Senator Fuschillo concluded.