9 p.m. (EDT)
New York’s Assembly has followed the Senate and passed legislation that would impose a new campus sexual assault policy on the state’s private colleges and universities.
Wednesday’s votes were unanimous.
The measure includes a “yes means yes” definition of sexual consent requiring a clear, affirmative agreement between partners. It also creates a victim’s bill of rights and boosts training for law enforcement, students and administrators.
The policy was implemented at public colleges last year. Expanding it to cover private universities was a top priority for Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who enlisted the support of student groups, pop artist Lady Gaga, and U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to urge passage of the measure.
___
8:15 p.m. (EDT)
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders say they’ve reached agreement on a bill to protect workers in nail salons by authorizing New York’s Department of State to shut down those that break the law.
Republican Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan and Democratic Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie say the bill is intended to protect and support workers in some 3,000 nail salons in the state.
They say many workers face unsafe conditions and unfair practices like inadequate ventilation, lack of protective equipment, unpaid wages, no worker’s compensation coverage, absent business liability insurance and unlicensed facilities.
Last month, Cuomo announced an outreach campaign intended to better protect workers from abuse and health risks and said the state Health Department would review the chemical agents they use.
___
8 p.m. (EDT)
The New York Senate has approved legislation to mandate videotaping the interrogation of certain crime suspects and implement standards for witness protection. The bill has the backing of groups representing lawyers, prosecutors and advocates for the wrongly convicted.
It would require police to videotape questioning of suspects in murders and violent felonies, including civil rights warnings.
The bill would also require police to present “blind” photo arrays to crime witnesses, where the officer presenting pictures doesn’t know who the suspect is.
The New York State Bar Association, the District Attorneys Association for the State of New York and the Innocence Project say the long-sought agreement would address some root causes of wrongful convictions.
A similar bill has been introduced by Assembly Codes Committee Chairman Joseph Lentol.
___
7:45 p.m. (EDT)
The New York Senate has voted for legislation that would make pregnancy an event allowing immediate enrollment in commercial insurance plans either on or off New York’s health exchange.
Enrollment periods are generally limited. The exchange has exceptions for “qualifying events” like marriage, divorce, citizenship or birth.
Sen. James Seward, an Oneonta Republican, says quality prenatal care is vital for the mother and child, and prompt coverage for health care will help ensure their welfare and head off higher risks to both.
Family Planning Advocates says New York could become the first state to ensure that eligibility, which would include coverage retroactive to first of the month when the pregnancy is discovered.
A companion bill in the Assembly has several sponsors.
It would take effect next year if approved and signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
___
5:30 p.m. (EDT)
The wood frog would be named New York’s state amphibian under legislation passed by the Senate.
Wednesday’s debate over the bill turned into a back-and-forth about the expiration of New York City’s rent regulations when Democrats said the wood frog bill showed that the Senate’s Republican majority has the wrong priorities.
The rent law covers 2 million tenants and expired Monday because lawmakers can’t agree on an extension.
Sen. John DeFrancisco sponsored the wood frog bill on behalf of an elementary school class. He says it’s “asinine” to compare the bill to the complicated rent rules, which remain under negotiation.
The wood frog bill now moves to the Assembly for consideration.
__
2 p.m. (EDT)
The speaker of the New York state Assembly says a short-term extension of New York City’s rent regulations remains “a last resort” if lawmakers cannot negotiate a deal to extend the law for a longer period of time.
Speaker Carl Heastie made the comments after he emerged from a closed-door meeting with Gov. Andrew Cuomo Wednesday afternoon. Heastie, Cuomo and Senate Leader John Flanagan are struggling to reach agreement on the renewal of the rent regulations, which cover more than 1 million rent-controlled and rent-stabilized units in and around New York City.
Senate Republicans want income verifications of tenants to ensure they are eligible to receive the rental protections. Assembly Democrats reject that idea and say they want to see more protections for tenants.
___
1:30 p.m. (EDT)
The leader of the New York Senate says there’s still no deal with the Assembly to renew the rent regulations covering more than 1 million rent-controlled and rent-stabilized units in and around New York City.
Republican Senate Leader John Flanagan of Long Island says talks with the Assembly’s Democratic leaders continue. The rent laws expired Monday at midnight after lawmakers failed to strike a deal.
Republicans want income verifications of tenants to ensure they are eligible to receive the rental protections. Assembly Democrats reject that idea and say they want to see more protections for tenants.
Lawmakers were scheduled to adjourn the 2015 session Wednesday. Flanagan says Senate Republicans are prepared to stay as long as it takes to “get the people’s business done.”
__
11:30 a.m. (EDT)
New York’s Senate has voted to legalize mixed martial arts with provisions that would outlaw amateur and professional underground versions of the sport.
The bill, which passed 49-13, has many Assembly sponsors but wasn’t immediately placed on Wednesday’s agenda with little time left in the 2015 legislative session.
Provisions meant to soften opponents, who say the sport is too violent, would give the New York State Athletic Commission jurisdiction with an expanded Medical Advisory Board to draft regulations.
Doctors at professional matches would have clear authority to halt them if they think a fighter has had severe punishment or is in danger of serious physical injury.
Fighters would have to have at least $50,000 coverage in accident insurance for injuries and $1 million for treating potentially fatal brain injuries.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.