MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF FREE PHONE CALLS FOR PEOPLE IN CUSTODY

Implementation of City Council bill makes New York City first major city to offer free phone calls in City jails

  Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today that the City is now providing free phone calls for people in custody after fully implementing Intro. 741-A two days before the bill takes full effect. The implementation of Intro. 741-A makes New York City the first major city to grant free phone calls for people in custody and follows a recent set of reforms that aims to make jails safer and more humane.

“For too long have people in custody faced barriers to basic aspects of everyday life that can help create more humane jails,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “With free phone calls, we’re eliminating one of those barriers and ensuring that people in custody have the opportunity to remain connected to their lawyers, families and support networks that are so crucial to re-entry into one’s community. I want to thank Council Speaker Corey Johnson for his leadership, and the rest of the City Council for passing this common-sense and crucial reform.”

“It’s a fact that incarcerated individuals have a greater chance of rehabilitation when they are in touch with their community. But for too long, our jails charged people for making simple phone calls, which created serious problems for those in our system with limited means. I am proud the City Council passed my legislation last year to require free phone calls in our city’s jails. I thank my City Council colleagues for supporting this common sense measure, and the de Blasio administration for implementing it,” said City Council Speaker Corey Johnson.

“We know that when people in custody are able to remain in frequent contact with family and friends, it helps them plan for the future and reduces their risk of returning to jail,” said Department of Correction Commissioner Cynthia Brann. “The more the lines of communication remain open, the better it is for those in our custody. We thank the Mayor and the City Council for passing this law that will help people maintain bonds with their loved ones.”

Prior to the passage of Intro. 741-A, people in custody were charged 50 cents for the first minute and five cents for additional minutes for telephone calls. Now, the Department of Correction will cover the costs made to friends and loved ones, allowing people to stay connected without having to utilize funding in their commissary account. More than 25,000 calls are made daily from City jails.

People in general population will be able to make calls totaling 21 minutes every three hours to anywhere in the United States, including U.S. territories. The limit on single calls is 15 minutes. An internal digital clock in the phones tracks the duration of calls. Individuals in punitive segregation will be allowed a single, daily call for up to 15 minutes.

People in custody in other restrictive housing follow the same rules as those in general population. The guidelines apply equally to pre-trial and sentenced individuals. The DOC is installing additional phone lines in housing areas across its facilities to sufficiently deal with the anticipated increase of calls.

The DOC was already providing free calls to those in custody on a limited basis with detainees receiving three calls a week and sentenced individuals getting two a week. Calling 311, Legal Aid and confidential informant lines were also free.

The City will continue to partner with the same private contractor, Securus Technologies on this initiative. Family and friends who previously set up an account with Securus will have their money returned to them by Securus upon request. The free calls will be permitted during all lock-out periods and will be allowed at any reasonable time as determined by the Captain responsible for the housing areas if they are emergency in nature.

This reform continues a string of initiatives by the de Blasio administration intended to make our jails safer, more accessible to friends and family and more equitable, starting with eliminating punitive segregation for anyone in custody 21 or younger; expediting the bail process with bail kiosks and bail facilitators; a new Wellness Center where uniform and non-uniform staff can gather to observe their religion, exercise and find support between shifts; the expansion of a groundbreaking program that unites families of incarcerated women; registering nearly 900 incarcerated individuals and jail facility visitors to vote; moving all adolescent offenders off Rikers; and unveiling a plan for borough-based jails to replace facilities on Rikers Island, to name just a few of our ongoing reforms.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Lawsuit Against Chestnut Petroleum Distributor, Inc., For Violations Of The Resource Conservation And Recovery Act

Suit Alleges Defendants Repeatedly Violated Environmental Regulations

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York (“SDNY”), and Peter D. Lopez, Regional Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), announced today that the United States has filed a civil lawsuit against Chestnut Petroleum Distributor, Inc., and its affiliates CPD Energy Corp., CPD NY Energy Corp., Chestnut Mart of Gardiner, Inc., Chestnut Marts, Inc., Greenburgh Food Mart, Inc., Middletown Food Mart, Inc., and NJ Energy Corp. (collectively, “Defendants”), for violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”) at 20 separate gas stations within the Southern District of New York and adjoining districts. 

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman stated:  “As alleged in the complaint, Defendants repeatedly failed to comply with regulations designed to prevent gasoline leaks from threatening public health and the environment.  Today’s lawsuit seeks to hold Defendants accountable for their conduct and ensure that the public is protected in the future.”    

EPA Regional Administrator Peter D. Lopez said:  “Failure to monitor and maintain tanks to prevent leaks can pose a serious safety risk, as the leaking underground tanks can release toxic components that can seep into the soil and the groundwater.  This lawsuit seeks to hold the companies responsible for properly managing their tanks to reduce these risks where these gas stations are located.”                          

Petroleum products such as gasoline contain chemical compounds that pose substantial threats to human health.  Service stations typically store gasoline in underground storage tanks.  When operated conscientiously and monitored closely, underground storage tanks are a safe and effective means to store gasoline.  But when those tanks are not subjected to basic operational safeguards, they can endanger the public and the environment, for example by leaking petroleum into the water supply, discharging toxic vapors into the air, or even triggering fires or explosions.  EPA’s regulations under RCRA are designed to protect the public by requiring underground storage tank operators to reduce the likelihood of leaks, monitor for leaks so they can promptly be addressed, and maintain adequate insurance to conduct corrective action and compensate injured third parties when a leak occurs.

As alleged in the complaint filed in federal district court today, Defendants repeatedly violated RCRA and its related regulations at various times from 2011 to 2014.  These violations included failing to perform release (i.e., leak or spill) detection, and failing to maintain and provide records of release detection monitoring.  In some instances, Defendants failed to secure underground storage tanks that were temporarily closed, and failed to investigate or report suspected releases or unusual operating conditions.  Defendants also failed at times to maintain insurance policies sufficient to take corrective action and compensate third parties for bodily injury and property damage caused by accidental releases arising from the operation of the underground storage tanks. 

The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief and an order imposing civil penalties for Defendants’ violations. 

Arizona Man And Israeli Woman Charged In Connection With Providing Shadow Banking Services To Cryptocurrency Exchanges

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Jonathan D. Larsen, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New York Office of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division (“IRS-CI”), announced the arrest today of REGINALD FOWLER on charges of bank fraud and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.  Bank fraud charges were also unsealed against co-conspirator RAVID YOSEF, who remains at large.  FOWLER and YOSEF, who worked for several related companies that provided fiat-currency banking services to various cryptocurrency exchanges (the “Crypto Companies”), allegedly participated in a conspiracy in which FOWLER made numerous false and misleading statements to banks to open bank accounts that were used to receive deposits from individuals purchasing cryptocurrency, and in which FOWLER and YOSEF falsified electronic wire payment instructions to conceal the true nature of a voluminous cryptocurrency exchange business.  Hundreds of millions of dollars flowed through the Crypto Companies’ accounts from banks located across the globe. FOWLER will be presented today in federal court in Phoenix, Arizona.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Andrew L. Carter Jr.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Reginald Fowler and Ravid Yosef allegedly ran a shadow bank that processed hundreds of millions of dollars of unregulated transactions on behalf of numerous cryptocurrency exchanges.  Their organization allegedly skirted the anti-money laundering safeguards required of licensed institutions that ensure the U.S. financial system is not used for criminal purposes, and did so through lies and deceit.  Thanks to the investigative work of the FBI and the IRS-CI, they will be prosecuted for their actions.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “Lying to banks and skirting the regulations put in place by the banking industry is a violation of federal law, a crime both Fowler and Yosef are charged with today.  Taking it one step further, as alleged, Fowler himself directed the ebb and flow of significant amounts of money to and from these various bank accounts, despite the fact that he was not licensed to do so.  May this be a reminder to all that there are consequences to engaging in fraudulent behavior and risky business practices.”

IRS-CI Acting Special Agent in Charge Jonathan D. Larsen said:  “As this indictment shows, IRS-CI will continue to follow the money, no matter if it's virtual currency, to bring criminals to justice. This should serve as a warning to cyber-criminals who think they can hide behind virtual currency that IRS-CI is fully committed to unraveling these schemes.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed today[1]:

In or about 2018, REGINALD FOWLER, RAVID YOSEF, and others operated the Crypto Companies, and FOWLER opened and maintained bank accounts at various banks around the world on behalf of the Crypto Companies.  One of the Crypto Companies markets itself as a company that allows clients to deposit and withdraw government-backed, or “fiat,”  currency to numerous crypto exchanges, which are platforms where people can buy and sell cryptocurrency or “virtual currency.”  Users of one particular crypto exchange (“Exchange-1”) deposited government-backed currency into a bank account of the Crypto Companies (“Account-1”) that was opened and maintained by FOWLER at a specific international bank (“Bank-1”). Although Exchange-1 advertised itself as providing required “know your customer” and anti-money laundering verification services in connection with Exchange-1’s platform, this was false with respect to the shadow banking services provided by FOWLER and YOSEF.

As described in the Indictment, FOWLER and YOSEF conspired to, and did, misrepresent the nature of the Crypto Companies’ business and falsely stated to Bank-1 that Account-1 would be used to process real estate investments.  These misrepresentations also appeared on wire transfer instructions sent out from bank accounts opened and maintained by FOWLER and YOSEF, among others, on behalf of the Crypto Companies.  Records from Bank-1 reveal that dozens of individuals from various countries wired millions of dollars into Account-1, and, at the same time, Account-1 also wired millions of dollars to other individuals and companies.  Even though FOWLER was receiving and directing these monetary transactions, neither he nor any of the Crypto Companies were ever licensed as a money transmitting business, as required by federal law.     

FOWLER, 60, of Chandler, Arizona, and YOSEF, 36, of Tel Aviv, Israel, are each charged with one count of bank fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.  FOWLER is also charged with one count of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business and one count of conspiracy to do the same, each of which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of Special Agents from the FBI New York Money Laundering Investigations Squad and Special Agents from the IRS-CI.  

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Joseph Meli And James Siniscalchi Charged In Manhattan Federal Court With Securities And Wire Fraud For Participating In A Broadway Ticket Resale Investment Fraud Scheme

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JOSEPH MELI and JAMES SINISCALCHI were charged this morning with securities fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud, stemming from their participation in a fraudulent Broadway ticket investment scheme wherein MELI and SINISCALCHI purported to use investor funds to purchase tickets to Broadway shows for resale on the secondary market, but instead appropriated investment funds for their personal use.

SINISCALCHI was arrested this morning and is expected to be presented today in Magistrate Court before the Hon. Kevin N. Fox.  MELI is presently incarcerated following his conviction in a prior federal case and will be presented when he arrives in the District.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As alleged, Joseph Meli and James Siniscalchi engaged in a scheme to defraud investors by lying about purported access to blocks of Broadway tickets.  As alleged, the acting was all done by the defendants, who posed as legitimate businessmen but appropriated the money they said would be invested in theatre tickets.”  

According to the Complaint[1] unsealed today in Manhattan federal court and the Indictment and statements made in court proceedings related to MELI’s prior conviction:

Beginning in at least March 2017 through in or about April 2018, MELI and SINISCALCHI falsely represented to partners in a business entity (the “Entertainment Company”), that MELI and SINISCALCHI owned a large number of tickets to live events, or intended to purchase a large number of tickets to live events, and would sell those tickets to the Entertainment Company using investor money the Entertainment Company had solicited for the purpose of reselling those tickets on the secondary market for profit.  Representatives of the Entertainment Company, in reliance on statements made by MELI and SINISCALCHI, represented to investors that investor funds would be used to purchase bulk tickets to live shows, and promised investors a share of these profits.  In fact, MELI and SINISCALCHI failed to invest the investor monies as promised, but rather diverted investor monies to their own personal use, including sending $455,000 to a close relative of MELI’s, and $105,000 to a residential management company that managed an apartment MELI was leasing.

SINISCALCHI, 46, of New York, New York, and MELI, 44, of New York, New York, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud, one count of securities fraud, and one count of wire fraud.  The conspiracy count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.  The securities fraud count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $5 million, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.  The wire fraud count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Berman praised the work of the Special Agents from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and thanked the Securities and Exchange Commission for its assistance.  

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Attorney General James Leads Coalition Of 7 States To Urge FDA To Strengthen E-Cigarette Guidance

  New York Attorney General Letitia James, leading a coalition of 7 Attorneys General, filed comments urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take stronger action to address the scourge of e-cigarette use among youth.   

The coalition advocated that the FDA’s enforcement actions should include menthol and mint flavors, which the FDA proposed to exclude. The coalition also advocated that the FDA advance further the date it will begin enforcement actions against all flavored e-cigarettes that the FDA has not approved.  Flavored e-cigarettes contribute to the ongoing epidemic of youth use because they have been shown to lead middle and high school students to begin tobacco use at a young age. Additionally, the coalition pressed the FDA to ban the online sale of e-cigarettes. 

“The FDA’s fundamental responsibility is to protect the health and wellbeing of the American public,” said Attorney General Letitia James. “Increased enforcement action on flavored e-cigarettes are critical to public health, especially for young New Yorkers, who too often get hooked on these products at a young age, leading to a lifetime of addiction. My office will continue to work with other states to prioritize the welfare of our youth.” 

On March 14, 2019, the FDA published the Draft Guidance entitled “Modifications to Compliance Policy for Certain Deemed Tobacco Products” to explain its proposed changes to the compliance policies for certain deemed tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, and to describe how the FDA intends to prioritize its enforcement resources with regard to the marketing of those products. As part of its rulemaking process, the FDA sought comments to inform the final version of the guidance. The Attorneys General are urging that the FDA prioritize enforcement action against all flavored e-cigarettes, including menthol, and mint; begin enforcement sooner than its proposed date; and ban the online sale of e-cigarettes. 

The comment letter urges the FDA to take these actions for a number of reasons. Research has shown that current use of menthol or mint e-cigarettes increased from 42.3% to 51.2% among all current e-cigarette using high school students during 2017-2018.  Additionally, online sales of e-cigarettes make such products less expensive through evasion of state taxes, which makes them more readily available to youth. 

The letter was led by New York Attorney General James and signed by the Attorneys General of California, Connecticut, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.  

In 2009, Congress enacted the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (TCA), which effectively banned cigarettes that contained flavors other than tobacco or menthol, and granted the FDA the authority to regulate tobacco products. The TCA was passed in order to reduce the number of youth who smoke and become addicted to tobacco products. The New York State Office of the Attorney General now urges the FDA to follow in the footsteps of Congress and take action against flavors in other products, such as e-cigarettes. 

News From Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark

BRONX GANG MEMBER SENTENCED TO 4 ½ to 13 ½ YEARS IN PRISON FOR FATAL FOURTH OF JULY STABBING 

Jury Found Defendant Guilty of Manslaughter

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 4 ½ to 13 ½ years in prison for fatally stabbing a teenager in Claremont Park on July 4, 2016. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant stabbed the victim in the heart after a brawl in Claremont Park. He then fled to Dominican Republic and was arrested a month later when he returned to New York. The victim of this senseless violence was only 17 years old.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Hector Hernandez, 24, of the Bronx, was sentenced today by Bronx Supreme Court Justice James McCarty to 4 ½ to 13 ½ years in prison. A jury found the defendant guilty of second-degree Manslaughter on March 29, 2016.

 According to the investigation, in the early morning of July 4, 2016, Hernandez, who was second-in-command of the Trinitarios “Sunset” set at the time, was with a large group of his gang members in Claremont Park at Belmont Street and Clay Avenue. While at the park a dispute began between the group members. The victim, Esmeldyn Pena, 17, punched another gang member, who was a close friend of the defendant. Hernandez then stabbed Pena in the heart with a knife, causing his death.

 The defendant fled to New Jersey, then flew to the Dominican Republic with his girlfriend. Thinking things had calmed down, he flew back to New York City on August 2, 2016 and was arrested upon his arrival at John F. Kennedy Airport.

 District Attorney Clark thanked Ana Pimentel of the Crime Victims Assistance Unit. District Attorney Clark also thanked NYPD Detective Javier Hernandez of the 44th Precinct and Investigator Scott Frank of DOC Correction Intelligence for their assistance in the investigation.

BRONX MAN INDICTED IN BRUTAL MURDER OF NEWBORN SON 

Infant Sustained Multiple Injuries to the Body

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been indicted on Murder and Manslaughter charges in the death of his 38-day-old son. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant allegedly threw his infant son to the ground after he became frustrated with the baby’s crying. We will pursue justice for this most innocent victim and for the family members coping with such a horrible loss.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Christian Rodriguez, 25, of the Bronx, was arraigned today on second-degree Murder, and first and second-degree Manslaughter before Bronx Supreme Court Justice George Villegas. The defendant was remanded and is due back in court on June 5, 2019. 

 According to the investigation, on the night of March 18, 2019, the defendant left a family gathering with the infant, Aiden Rodriguez, and went to their Bronx home. The defendant said he hit the baby’s head on the edge of a doorframe while holding him and trying to maneuver the stroller into the bedroom. Rodriguez allegedly threw the child on the floor after he wouldn’t stop crying.

 The victim was taken to Lincoln Hospital where doctors were able to revive and intubate Aiden. The newborn was transferred to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital where he went into cardiac arrest upon arrival and was pronounced dead after efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. According to the medical examiner, the infant had several injuries to his body, including a large skull fracture and trauma to his brain.

 District Attorney Clark thanked Assistant District Attorney Amir Fadl of the Child Abuse/Sex Crimes Bureau for his assistance in the case. District Attorney Clark also thanked Detective Jose Romero of the 40th Precinct Detective Squad and Detective John Ferretti from the Bronx Homicide Task Force.

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt 

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON FOR STABBING TEEN TO DEATH WHILE TRYING TO ROB HIM

Defendant Pleaded Guilty to Manslaughter; Also Pleaded Guilty to Robbery and Assault for Two Other Incident

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for fatally stabbing a teenage boy he was trying to steal from in 2016, for robbing a man, and for assaulting a Correction Officer while being held on Rikers Island. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant stabbed and killed Carluis Ducasse, a straight-A student who was just days away from graduating high school. The incident happened in front of his home while the victim was out buying ice cream with a friend. The defendant took the life of a promising young man and now he will spend two decades behind bars.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Eustace James, 22, of 2405 Marion Avenue, was sentenced today to 20 years in prison and 5 years post-release supervision by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Marsha Michael. James pleaded guilty to first-degree Manslaughter, second-degree Assault and second-degree Robbery on March 20, 2019. 

According to the investigation, on June 17, 2016, in front of 1764 Walton Avenue, a separately apprehended individual, Tristan Ortiz, went up to Carluis Ducasse, 17, and demanded money. When the teen resisted and fought back, James stabbed him once in the chest with a knife. The victim was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital where he died.

 On May 3, 2017 at 54 East 182nd Street, the defendant came upon Ruben Padilla, 54, in a building stairwell and robbed him. The defendant pointed what appeared to be a firearm--but was actually a BB gun-- at the victim and told him to give him money or he would kill him. James took Padilla’s wallet, cellphone, cash and debit card, among other belongings.

 James was arrested on July 20, 2017.

 According to the investigation, on March 20, 2019 at the George Vierno Center in Rikers Island, the defendant assaulted a Correction Officer. The victim had gone inside a janitor’s closet to fetch a scrub brush for the defendant when James entered the closet after him and punched the CO multiple times in the neck and face.

 District Attorney Clark thanked Detective Matthew McCrosson of the Bronx Homicide Squad for his assistance in the investigation. 

  

Senators Harckham and Biaggi Condemn Probation Sentence for Rapist of 14-year-old Girl

  Senator Pete Harckham and Senator Alessandra Biaggi condemned the extraordinarily light sentence handed to a Watertown, NY school bus driver who was convicted of raping a 14-year-old girl on his bus route.

Rather than send Shane M. Piche, the former bus driver, to prison, Jefferson County Judge James P. McClusky sentenced the defendant to 10 years probation last Thursday. Piche was also assigned the lowest level status on New York's sex offender registry. Both the prosecutor and victim's family had hoped for a lengthy prison sentence and Level 2 sex offender designation.

Senator Alessandra Biaggi said, "As a society, we should be focused on how to protect women from being raped. This crime is particularly offensive because this man used his position of trust as a school bus driver to lure and attack a young girl. When courts don't treat a rape as a serious criminal offense, it tells women we don't care and tells men they won't be held accountable.  We need to ensure there are just outcomes so victims of rape will not be disregarded." 

Senator Pete Harckham, said, "As the father of two daughters, this slap on the wrist for the rape of a 14-year-old girl sickens me. Even worse, the defendant was a school bus driver who used his proximity to children to find and sexually abuse a victim. We need to strengthen our laws so that convicted sexual predators receive stiff prison sentences that are not left to the whim of any judge who lacks common sense and empathy."

Piche pleaded guilty on February 21st to third-degree rape. Prosecutors asked the judge to hand him a Level 2 sex offender designation which would have meant that his home address would have to be posted online in the state's sexual offender registry. But on Thursday, Judge McClusky placed Piche as a Level 1 sex offender with a "low risk of re-offense"; according to state guidelines. His future address will not be added to the online registry.

State Senator Gustavo Rivera - SEVENTEEN BILLS MOVE THROUGH COMMITTEE DURING SIXTH MEETING OF THE SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE

  The Senate Health Committee, chaired by State Senator Gustavo Rivera, moved through committee the 17 bills that were up for a vote on today's committee agenda. 

"Today, the Health Committee took decisive steps to ensure New Yorkers have the tools and information they need to improve and protect their health. We passed a number of measures to protect children from anaphylactic shock, require chain restaurants to label menu items with high content of sodium, and protect New Yorkers in adult care facilities from the dangers of secondhand smoke exposure. We also continued to tackle maternal mortality and the opioid epidemic, two issues greatly impacting New Yorkers across the our State," said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. "Further, we moved a common sense bill that will allow New Yorkers under 16 years old to operate lemonade stands without a health permit in order to promote entrepreneurship among our youth."

During today's meeting, the following bills were voted for the following bills in the following categories:

ENSURING CHILDREN'S SAFETY AND WELL-BEING: 

• S218A (Benjamin) - Bill to require anaphylactic policies for child care services.

• S3834 (Metzger) - Bill to provide certain professional services to children's camps and camps for children with developmental disabilities.

• S2599 (Parker) - Bill to authorize and direct the department of health to do research and study as to the effects of psychostimulants, selective seratonin reuptake inhibitors, antidepressants and other drugs which are prescribed for attention deficit disorders, ADD and ADHD, for school age children.

IMPROVING OUR STATE'S PUBLIC HEALTH INDICATORS:

• S2873 (Carlucci) - Bill to ban smoking in adult care facilities.

• S4930 (Rivera) - Bill to require chain restaurants to label menu items that have a high content of sodium.

• S1307 (Serino) - Bill to report lyme and tick-borne disease infection after death.

REDUCING NEW YORK'S MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE:

• S3158 (Ramos) - Bill to provide a premium reduction for obstetric practitioners who complete a risk management strategies course.

COMBATING THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC IN NEW YORK:

• S1668 (Brooks) - Bill to require that on death certificates for persons whose death is caused by an opioid overdose, the specific opioid responsible is included.

• S4277A (Harckham) - Bill to require health practitioners to discuss with patients the risks associated with certain pain medications before prescribing such medications; and in relation to opioid analgesic prescriptions.

OTHER IMPORTANT BILLS THAT WERE MOVED THROUGH COMMITTEE: 

• S762 (Tedisco) - Bill to exempt lemonade stands operated by persons under sixteen years of age from department of health permitting requirements.

• S1728 (Skoufis) - Bill to establish hospital-sponsored off campus emergency departments

• S1811 (Rivera) - Bill that relates to the appointment of the state medicaid director.

• S1816 (Rivera) - Bill to integrate home care into the state's public health and prevention efforts.

• S4475 (Montgomery) - Bill to define "person" in parental relationship to a child.

• S4582 (Sanders) - Bill to conform the definition of palliative care throughout the public health law.

• S4841 (Rivera) - Bill that relates to the execution of orders not to resuscitate and orders pertaining to life sustaining treatments by physician assistants.

• S5000 (Parker) - Bill to establish the nurse loan repayment program.