Governor Paterson Signs Eight Bills into Law

ALBANY, NY (03/24/2010)(readMedia)-- Governor David A. Paterson today signed eight bills into law including a bill that will protect the welfare of incompetent or physically disabled persons; a bill that will make a law against requiring yoga instructors and martial arts instructors to obtain State licenses; and a bill that will allow for a competitive bidding process for equine drug testing in the State, among others.

The signed bills include A.9534/S.7628, which closes a gap in two current Penal Law (PL) statutes – PL 260.32 and PL 260.34 – that address endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person by a caregiver. This bill will add "incompetent or physically disabled persons" to those protected under PL 260.32 and PL 260.34.

"Those who may be equally vulnerable and unable to care for themselves deserve the same protections under law as elderly persons from endangerment by their caregivers," Governor Paterson said. "I am proud to sign a bill that will not only enhance the safety of some of New York's most vulnerable residents, but will allow more families to rest easier knowing their loved ones are now protected under law."

Governor Paterson also signed A.8678-A/S.5701-A, which is a bill that would exempt yoga and martial arts instructors from State licensing requirements. In 2009, the SED's Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision ordered yoga instructors who train others to become a yoga teacher to obtain a license. Such requirements would have imposed unnecessary expenses on local governments, as well as over-restrictive mandates on yoga studios. As a result, in August 2009, SED announced the suspension of the licensure requirements for these yoga instructors, pending action by the Legislature. This bill will codify in statute SED's decision not to regulate yoga instruction or other schools operating for the purpose of leisure, hobby, or personal enrichment.

"This legislation is important in that it will not place added expenses on our local governments, in addition to not enacting stricter requirements on New York's yoga studios during these difficult times," Governor Paterson said.

Additionally, Governor Paterson signed A.9954/S.6352 into law, which will eliminate the current statutory requirement that equine drug testing for all thoroughbred and harness racing in New York State be conducted exclusively by the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University. Removing this requirement would permit competitive bidding from other qualified State college vendors with approved equine science programs. The State Financial Plan assumes $540,000 in savings resulting from the authorization of competitive bidding for equine drug testing services.

"I am committed to bringing fiscal responsibility to government in any way possible, and this bill will contribute to that commitment," Governor Paterson said. "Signing this legislation will ensure that equine drug testing services are provided at the lowest possible cost to the State during an unprecedented budget crisis."

The following list of bills also signed by the Governor includes:

A.602/A.6724: Relates to permitting all State-paid uniformed court officers to execute bench warrants

A.1003A/ S.638-A: Requires a report due the governor and legislature to include the incidence of misrepresentation by insured of the principal place where vehicles are driven and stored.

A.2575/S.5693: Establishes criteria for notice to be filed and served when done by electronic means in New York City.

S.5642/A.1976: Relates to the electronic filing of wetlands regulatory maps.

S.6602/A.9702: Makes appropriations for the legal requirements of the State debt service and lease purchase payments and other special contractual obligations.

Governor Paterson also vetoed the following bill:

S.4917 /A.2497: Would create a New York State Greenhouse Gases Management Research and Development Program within the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

"While the purpose of this bill is laudable, the bill is nearly identical to a bill that I vetoed in 2008 because of its complete reliance upon future appropriations," Governor Paterson said. "As I pointed out then, decisions about whether to create and fund new programs should be considered in the budget process, and especially in these difficult financial times, we can ill afford to do otherwise."

Since Governor Paterson's veto in 2008, he has created the Climate Action Council, which is scheduled to release a Climate Action Plan in September of this year. In addition to coordinating with the State energy planning process, the Council is authorized to identify research and development needs that may assist the State in meeting our goal of reducing greenhouse gas pollution 80 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2050.

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