Governor Paterson Signs Ten Bills into Law

ALBANY, NY (04/14/2010)(readMedia)-- Governor David A. Paterson today signed 10 bills into law, including three that will reform and strengthen Open Meetings Law, and one that will require the State to make information available to families about the flu and the importance of vaccinations against flu.

The signed bills include a package of Open Meetings Law reforms that were passed in the State Legislature during this year's Sunshine Week. The bills include A.5873/S.4284, which will ensure that public meetings are held in facilities that are able to accommodate members of the public; A.10093/S.3195, which will require State and local governments to establish rules to accommodate photographs, audio or video recording of open meetings; and A.10196/S.7054, which will add to the remedies a court can impose when it finds a violation of the Open Meetings Law. The latter bill is a revision of legislation vetoed by Governor Paterson last year, because it would have created monetary penalties for localities that violate the law, and thereby imposed costs on taxpayers. The most recent bill would require training for those who do not comply.

"As a responsible government, we have the duty to inform the public of the State's business and these new laws will help to do just that," Governor Paterson said. "I am extremely proud to have signed this legislation that will not only strengthen the State's Open Meetings Law in various ways, but will increase the public's right to attend, listen to and watch the decision-making process in action. In addition, I congratulate the Legislature for working cooperatively and creatively to address the concerns, noted with last year's vetoed bill, to craft stronger legislation."

Governor Paterson also signed into law A.775-B/S.4645-B, which will direct the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health of children between six months and 18 years of age, who are in school or day care, to provide information about influenza and the importance of annual vaccination against influenza on the agency's website. Schools and other child care settings will be required to notify parents that the information is available.

"Last year, the flu posed a genuine public health threat to the people of New York. We can never be too careful in getting the word out on how to prevent and treat the flu, especially for our children," Governor Paterson said. "This legislation will help to distribute flu and flu vaccine information to more of New York's children and families to keep them safe and healthy during the flu season."

The following bills were also signed into law:

A.1138/S.4529: Authorizes the provision of certain optometric services by the College of Optometry of the State University of New York to persons receiving medical assistance.

A3910A/S.1535-A: Relates to the rights of a victim of domestic violence to cast special ballots if they leave their residence because of such violence.

A4296C/S.5915-A: Relates to public authority non-disclosure agreements.

A7805B/S.5461-B: Relates to the representation of children; replaces the term "law guardian" with the term "attorney for the child" to more accurately reflect the attorney's role.

A8558/S.5991: Creates an exemption from certain special assessments, fees and surcharges on hazardous waste generated by or at an elementary or secondary school.

S6972A/A.10065A: Provides temporary retirement incentive for certain public employees.

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