WEINSTEIN'S NEW LAW PROTECTS NEW YORKERS
INCREASES PUNISHMENT FOR ATTACKING THE ELDERLY

Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein sponsored the new law to curb attacks by those who target the elderly.

Seniors often appear as soft targets for criminals. Like all citizens, they must be afforded the protection to live safely, without falling prey to those who may cruelly exploit their age. This new law, increases the penalty for assaulting a person 65 years or older from a misdemeanor to a violent felony, meaning, these cowardly criminals can now face up to 7 years in jail, instead of the 1 year maximum sentence.

Every year Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein presents a Community Service Award and U.S. Savings Bond to a deserving graduate at each local public and private school. Assemblywoman Weinstein presents awards to deserving graduates from P.S. 277 (on left) and P.S. 208.

PROTECTING FAMILIES AND CHILDREN

Protecting Students From Sex Offenders In Schools
As a means of ensuring safe and secure learning environments, a new law was passed to require the state Education Department to revoke the licenses of any teacher, teaching assistant, psychologist, social worker, administrator or supervisor convicted of a sex offense requiring registration with the state Sex Offender Registry.

Improving Safety Recall System for Toys and Children’s Products
In response to recent well-publicized incidents involving recalled toys and other products for children, Assemblywoman Weinstein sponsored a bill to outlaw the sale of recalled children’s items and mandates retailers to take steps to notify consumers of recalls. This legislation which passed both houses is expected to be signed into law.

Addressing Community Concerns Assemblywoman Weinstein met in Albany to discuss legislation she is advocating that would allow NYS TAP (Tuition Assistance) grants to students at any higher education school that qualifies for PELL grants. Pictured with the Assemblywoman are representatives of Agudath Israel of America (l.to r.)Mordechai Biser, Counsel, Gedaliah Weinberger, Chairman of the Board, Shiya Ostreicher, Rabbi Shmuel Lefkowitz, Vice President of Community Affairs, and Assemblyman Dov Hikind.

As the leading state legislator strengthening laws to protect victims of domestic violence, Assemblywoman Weinstein sponsored long overdue legislation, now law, that would allow all victims of domestic violence the right to seek a civil order of protection.

Orders of protection are an essential tool to help protect victims from future violence. By allowing greater access to family court, the safety of domestic violence victims will be greatly enhanced.

Weinstein Honored by the Russian Arts Foundation The Russian Arts Foundation honored Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein at their annual Russian-American Heritage Festival Breakfast. (L-R) Gene Borsh, Director of HIAS-LOREO, Marina Kovalyov, President of Russian Arts Foundation, and Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny joined Brian Palmer (on right) in recognizing Assemblywoman Weinstein for her service to the community.

LEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS

2008 has been a productive Legislative year with many important new laws enacted – legislation which Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein sponsored include:

•  IMPROVING PATIENT CARE – Ending Mandatory Overtime For Nurses
This law will help ensure occupational and patient safety in hospitals and medical facilities by restricting the consecutive hours of required work for nurses, to eliminate mandatory overtime and help attract and retain nurses. It would still permit a nurse to voluntarily work overtime. This legislation which passed both houses is expected to be signed into law.

•  CURBING BIAS INCIDENTS – Anti-Noose Law
A new law increases the penalty of placing or displaying a noose without the permission of the property owner, with the intent to harass, annoy or threaten another person to a class E felony.

•  GUN BACKGROUND CHECKS – Mental Health
This legislation will prevent severely mentally ill residents and violent felons from purchasing firearms, and intensify firearm background checks. It authorizes courts to revoke firearm licenses and seize any weapons in the possession of a defendant deemed incapacitated or committed to a mental health facility. This legislation which passed both houses is expected to be signed into law.

•  WEINSTEIN SUPPORTS CO-OP TAX ABATEMENT EXTENDER
The real property tax system in N.Y.C. places a higher tax burden on co-op units than on comparably valued homes. Recognizing this inequity, New York State authorized a property tax abatement program for co-op owners beginning in 1996. While the abatement is no substitute for reform to correct this inequity, extending the current abatement program will continue relief for N.Y.C. co-op owners.

The only source of income for 750,000 New York seniors is Social Security. It is important that when judgment creditors attempt to seize assets, that they do not leave the elderly completely unable to care for their most basic needs.

Assemblywoman Weinstein’s bill, the Exempt Income Protection Act, closes the loophole that allows credit card companies and debt collectors to use “restraining notices” to freeze bank accounts of the elderly and disabled, even when all of the money in the account is direct deposited Social Security, disability payments, pensions and public assistance and is exempt from collection.

This legislation which passed both houses and is expected to be signed into law, would also make it easier for account holders whose funds have been unlawfully frozen to get a restraining notice lifted from their account.

		Glenwood Senior Center Visit Assemblywoman Weinstein often visits the senior centers throughout the district. During a recent visit to the Glenwood Senior Center, Assemblywoman Weinstein spoke about money saving programs and outreach events available at her Community Office.

Last year, 19,319 New Yorkers experienced the crippling effects of Identity Theft and the difficult task of restoring their credit rating and clearing up their financial records.

Assemblywoman Weinstein sponsored a new law that enhances privacy protections and programs to help people who are victims of Identity Theft. This new law will protect the misuse of personal information. It will restrict an employer’s access to an employee’s personal information; prohibit Social Security Numbers on ID badges, ID cards, or in files with open access.

The law creates a state program to help victims repair financial and credit history.

JCC of Kings Bay Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein presented Citations to the honorees at JCC of Kings Bay’s Recognition Breakfast: Hon. Aaron “Cappy” Bernstein, Theresa Scavo, Chairperson of Community Board 15 and Leonard Petlakh, Executive Director of the Kings Bay YM-YWHA. Also present were Councilman Lewis Fidler, Aleksandra Antonovskaya, Executive Director of the JCC of Kingsbay, Rabbi Melvin Burg, President of the JCC of Kingsbay, and Norman Green, Chairperson of the JCC of Kingsbay Board of Directors.

Join the hundreds of your neighbors who have already received their Non-Driver IDs at Helene Weinstein’s Community Office.

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will be returning to Weinstein’s Office on:

Thursday, September 4th, 2008*

Apply for a Non-Driver’s I.D. Card
Renew Your Driver’s License

*Appointments are requiredNo Walk-Ins!
Call to Schedule - (718) 648-4700

OBTAIN A SENIOR HALF-FARE METROCARD

Helene Weinstein Brings the Senior Half-Fare MetroCard Bus to the Community Office on the Third Thursday of every month.

Upcoming dates:
August 21st, 2008
September 18th, 2008
October 16th, 2008

10:30 am to 12:00 noon

Apply for the Senior Half-Fare MetroCard and receive one on the spot.

Proper age I.D. (65 years & older) and photo I.D. are required.

Free Cholesterol and Glucose Screening*

Thursday, September 25th, 2008

*Appointments are necessary.
Call to Schedule - (718) 648-4700