News & Notes from Assembly Member Mike Miller - NY Assembly District 38

Assemblyman Miller Hosts Successful Job Fair in Glendale

Pictured from Left to Right: Chaplan Joseph D'Agostino, Assemblyman Mike Miller, Jordan Durso, and State Senator Joseph Addabbo.

Citing the need for economic recovery in Queens, Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Queens) hosted a job fair at Christ Tabernacle Church in Glendale this past Tuesday. With over 40 vendors offering jobs for the unemployed, several hundred people crowded into the Freedom Hall seeking employment. Vendors came from local businesses, like Home Depot and Queens Council for Social Welfare, and federal agencies, like the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Federal Aviation Administration.

“During these tough economic times, our first priority has to be job creation. I am so thrilled to see all of these vendors looking to put our community back to work” Assemblyman Miller said. “Thanks to the generosity of Christ Tabernacle Church and the many companies that came to the event, many people may once again be able to put bread on the table for their families. It’s the least we could do for them.”

Assemblyman Miller: Take the Time to Honor Our Fallen Soldiers

Memorial Day is celebrated every year as a national day of remembrance to honor our fallen American soldiers, both past and present. The holiday weekend is often used to mark the beginning of summer, a time when people come together at parades and celebrations to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Finding its roots right here in New York, on a main street in the village of Waterloo, Memorial Day was first celebrated in the spring of 1866. Now, nearly a century and a half later, we continue in the same fashion to honor our fallen soldiers. Flags are hung at half mast, flowers are placed on the graves of our lost soldiers and ceremonies are held in cities and towns across the country to commemorate those who gave their lives to protect our families, our homes and our nation. It is a day that unites our country and allows us time to reflect and express our utmost gratitude to those fallen in the fight for freedom.

In recent weeks, we have had an important reminder of the bravery of our troops and how hard they fight to protect us. The recent death of Osama bin Laden reminds us that those who have fallen, both at home and abroad, have not done so in vain. And, it should serve as a warning to America’s enemies that our servicemen and women will fight to protect us, even if they have to travel to the farthest reaches of the globe.

It is my hope that this Memorial Day, we will be able to take the time to honor the uniformed men and women we have lost due to conflict throughout the years. We will always remember and honor them as heroes of our great state and nation.

In the Assembly, my colleagues and I are dedicated to honoring and preserving the memory of those who died during times of conflict. I will do everything in my power to ensure the best for our troops and their families, while at home and abroad. The men and women in uniform – the heroes who fight across the world to defend our freedom – are an inspiration to New Yorkers.

Assembly Package Protects the Rights of New Yorkers with Disabilities

In recognition of Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day, Assemblyman Miller (D-Queens) announced the passage of a comprehensive package of bills focused on improving the quality of life for New Yorkers with disabilities.

“People with disabilities have to overcome difficult challenges every day,” Miller said. “To help remove some of the roadblocks, the Assembly has passed bills that level the playing field for those with disabilities.”

In an effort to combat discrimination, the Assembly passed legislation that would:

• Clarify protections against discrimination on the basis of disability in services provided by public entities in New York State by making the State Human Rights Law consistent with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (A.71); and
• Waive the state’s sovereign immunity regarding the ADA and certain other federal acts as they apply to the protection of state employees (A.3689).

“It is appalling to me that because of someone’s disability, they may not be able to enjoy the same freedoms as every other New Yorker,” Miller said. “I will continue fighting to make sure everyone has equal rights, no matter what their circumstances may be.”

Making everyday tasks more accessible

The legislation would afford people with disabilities easier access to services by:

• Requiring that the services of sign-language interpreters be made available upon request of a hearing-impaired individual at public hearings and meetings (A.1932); and
• Amending the Human Rights Law to define the term “service animal,” which would include, but not be limited to, any guide, hearing or service dog (A.6816).

Ensuring voters with disabilities have equal access to ballots

“It’s crucial that a voter with a disability has the same access to absentee ballots during the voting process as any other New Yorker does” Assemblyman Miller said. To ensure this, the Assembly package includes a bill that would enable blind and visually impaired registered voters to request Braille or large-print absentee ballots for all elections administered under the election law (A.5337-A). In addition, the legislation allows those who are visually impaired to request that such ballots are available at polling sites in lieu of voting machines on Election Day for elections under the education law until Dec. 31, 2012, when optical scanning machines will be available.

Establishing emergency protocol to assist people with disabilities

To protect people with disabilities during an emergency, the Assembly’s legislation would:

• Require high-rise building owners to establish and maintain up-to-date emergency evacuation plans that specifically pertain to disabled occupants and visitors and is readily available to emergency personnel (A.6658); and
• Require counties to maintain a confidential registry of people of all ages with disabilities who may require evacuation assistance and shelter in the event of a disaster (A.7257). The legislation allows people with disabilities the option to not be included on the registry.

Providing better housing options

To meet the needs of people with disabilities, the Assembly passed legislation allowing tenants with physically disabling conditions that affect their mobility a preference in occupying a vacant housing unit on a lower floor in the same project operated by the New 

York City Housing Authority (A.3420-A).

Making transportation easier for people with disabilities

The Assembly’s legislation would improve transportation by:

• Establishing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Riders’ Council for People with Disabilities to investigate day-to-day operations of the transportation authority and its subsidiaries, monitor its performance, and make recommendations to improve conditions with respect to disabled riders (A.745);
• Providing a tax credit to transportation companies for the purchase of new vehicles that are accessible to people with disabilities (A.966-B); and
• Requiring that both handicapped parking spaces and their access aisles be at least eight-feet wide to ensure that they are spaced far enough for people with disabilities to enter and exit their vehicles (A.3363).

“For people with disabilities, getting to certain destinations can be quite a challenge,” Assemblyman Miller said. “By reducing the hassle when riding public transportation and parking in handicapped spaces, we can provide riders with disabilities a more comfortable and less stressful trip.”

Miller: e-STOP Law Removes Thousands of Registered Sex Offenders from Social Networking Sites

Living in an information age with technology evolving faster than ever, we face new challenges every day in keeping our children safe. While the Internet provides numerous entertainment and educational benefits, it can also lead unsuspecting users into a dangerous trap. That’s why I support the Electronic Security and Targeting of Online Predators Act (e-STOP), which, since its passage three years ago, has helped remove more than 24,000 accounts and online profiles linked to registered sex offenders.

It can be very difficult for a child or teen to realize the threat posed by sex offenders masking their true identity online. Since the passage of e-STOP, strict online regulations, including prohibiting certain sex offenders from accessing social networking websites and communicating with minors, have helped protect thousands of children who access the Web each day.

The popularity of social networking sites has resulted in the creation of millions of online personalized profiles that allow users to connect and interact with their friends. But, unfortunately, without the proper safeguards, these sites also allow online predators to easily shield their true identities to make unwanted sexual advances on our children. With e-STOP in place, more than two dozen social networking companies receive a list of updated sex offender information from law enforcement every week to identify predators and remove them from their websites. These companies also alert law enforcement to potential sex offenders on their sites. Already, e-STOP has shown that with full cooperation of law enforcement and social networking companies, thousands of unsafe accounts can be removed, keeping our children out of harm’s way.

New York was the first state in the nation to pass such stringent regulations prohibiting registered sex offenders from using social networking sites to prey on young teens and children. Under e-STOP, sex offenders are mandated to register and keep up-to-date on all current email accounts, screen names and any other form of Internet profiles with law enforcement. By monitoring sex offenders’ Web use, law enforcement has helped remove offender profiles from social networking sites and eliminate the threat they pose in the online community.

The Internet is a wonderful tool for communication and learning, but without online protection, sex offenders have too many opportunities to reach our children. As a supporter of e-STOP, I understand the importance of strengthening our laws to protect families around the state from dangerous online predators.

News and Notes from Senator Joe Addabbo - NY Senate District 15

ADDABBO: SENATE PASSES PRE-MEMORIAL DAY BILLS HONORING SERVICE OF VETERANS, PAST AND CURRENT

Bills Provide Additional Entitlements; Senator Reminds Residents to Be Mindful of Memorial Day

Queens, NY, May 26, 2011 – NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens), ranking member of the Senate’s Veterans, Homeland Security & Military Affairs Committee, today announced the passage of several bills before the New York State Senate in honor of all the brave men and women who decided to protect and serve the United States during non-combat and combat instances. The ten bills, comprising the Senate’s Active List for Wednesday, May 25^th, would build upon the Senate’s ongoing commitment to increased recognition and respect for veterans and their families. Addabbo voted in favor of all the veteran military bills, including a bill (S.2497) that would require the executive director of the office of real property services to create a list of documents in support of a veteran’s eligibility when applying for real property tax exemptions. The proposed law would make it easier for veterans to apply for real property tax exemptions. With the exception of S.656, all bills now await passage by the Assembly before going to Governor Andrew A. Cuomo for signature. The ten bills included:

• Bill S.2497, cited above.
• Bill S.656, authorizing the Department of Environmental Conservation to designate additional fishing events as rehabilitation for armed forces veterans or active members with need for veterans or active duty members to obtain fishing licenses.
• Bill S.3192, establishing a mechanism for parents or guardians who find themselves deployed for short term military service to appoint a short term military guardian for their child or children during service.
• Bill S.3222, permitting municipalities to enact a local law to grant additional combat veteran exemptions to persons not discharged from their subsequent service.
• Bill S.5337, prohibiting the unauthorized use of the names and images of members of the armed forces or organized militia of New York.
• Bill S.3228, preventing the court from using deployment and military status as a detrimental factor in determining custody.
• Bill S.193, allowing honorably discharged veterans certified as having a 40% or greater service-connected disability to purchase a lifetime sportsman license for a twenty dollar fee.
• Bill S.824, providing qualified veterans with a certified disability access by a float plane to appropriate lands under the Department of Environmental Conservation’s jurisdiction.
• Bill S.4569, which extends two previous military law sections, allowing for rental of armories for non-military use when available and transporting monies from those armory rentals back into the armories state wide to cover operating costs.
• Bill S.3684, amending the definition of naval militia to conform with federal law and legally recognize the naval militia as the naval forces of the state of New York.

Senator Addabbo stated, “As we approach Memorial Day, the Senate is doing its part to honor veterans and remain mindful of their service to our country. Since the 19^th century, the United States has honored the legacies of these brave individuals and proclaimed Memorial Day to be a significant day to acknowledge those that did not make it home.” Addabbo noted by advancing these bills, the legislature would ensure military-family privacies, the entitlement of additional benefits, an expansion of recreational activities with fewer restrictions, and support in custodial matters.

“New York was the first state to recognize Memorial Day in 1873, and today as we remain mindful of those veterans who have left us, we cannot forget our current service men and woman who have served, are serving, and who have provided countless hours of service to defend our freedoms,” concluded Addabbo.

ADDABBO: FAMILIES NEED MORE PROTECTION FROM CRIMINALS

Queens, NY, May 26, 2011 – NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens) helped obtain passage in the Senate of a measure that would strengthen a law designed to prevent criminals from profiting from their crimes. Previously cited as the “Son of Sam” law, the bill (S.4393) amends the law to include criminals who were found to be mentally afflicted also will be prevented from profiting from commercial exploitation of their stories.

Before the “Son of Sam” law was implemented in response to a string of murders of young women in New York during the summer of 1977, criminals were offered huge sums of money for the rights to their stories. Senator Addabbo disagreed with this rationale. Explained Addabbo, “Surviving spouses of the victims of heinous acts of murder should not be subjected to any glorification of notorious prisoners, nor profiling of a loved one’s murder. On top of this, to be financially exploited and not to receive any monies for the wrongful actions inflicted upon their close ones, is absurd.”

The federal government and 40 states have implemented an assortment of “Son of Sam” laws to address this pressing issue. By voting in favor of a technical correction to the prevailing success of New York State law, Senator Addabbo is placing another barrier before all criminals, to prevent them profiting from their crimes.

The bill passed the Senate in May and is yet to be introduced in the New York State Assembly. “Our first priority must be protecting and keeping victims’ families from public access. These incidents are privacy matters where respect for loved ones and their families is warranted,” said Addabbo.

ADDABBO ANNOUNCES BILL TO INFORM RESIDENTS OF PUBLIC WORK INTERRUPTIONS

Bill Mandates Protocols Cities Must Follow

Queens, NY, May 26, 2011 – NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens) announces he introduced legislation (S.5023) that would require cities with a population of one million or more residents to notify residents of public work projects in their area. People living within a half-mile of the proposed public work project must be notified within three (3) days before commencement of a project. “My constituents are frequently victims of having no water or other service due to construction or some other public work being done in their area. I believe these residents should be given ample notice if they are going to be inconvenienced,” explained Senator Addabbo.

The public work projects subject to this provision include construction, repairs, utility services and public work. With the exception of utility services, residents must be notified of any public work that will encompass 48 hours.

Under the proposed measure, sufficient signage would be displayed to inform both residents and visitors of the work.“Informing the community of public work projects would benefit not only residents, but businesses as well. To comply with proposed projects, businesses can schedule deliveries and work around the inconveniences of the public work,” said Addabbo.

Utility service disruptions are the exception, as companies would have to immediately notify the public of any perceived interruptions. “A disruption in utilities is frustrating. Being informed of such a disruption might ease the level of frustration for people,” Addabbo noted.

The bill currently stands in the State Senate Cities Committee and is awaiting sponsorship in the Assembly.

ADDABBO ANNOUNCES BILL THAT ELIMINATES OFFENSIVE TERMINOLOGY FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Awaits Governor’s Decision; Highlights Bill that Employs Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

Queens, NY, May 24, 2011 – NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens) announced the passage of legislation that would eliminate references of the terms “mental retardation” and “mentally retarded” in the Mental Hygiene Law. The bill (S.4467) was passed by the New York State Senate and previously in the Assembly; it now awaits action from Governor Andrew M. Cuomo.

“I supported this bill because the terms "mental retardation" and "mentally retarded" are offensive terms,” explained Addabbo. “These individuals with developmental disabilities should not have to sustain belittling through the usage of offensive terminology.”

In the past, Senator Addabbo has worked on legislation for individuals with disabilities. He pointed to a bill he introduced in March 2011 that would offer small business owners a tax credit for the hiring and retaining of individuals with disabilities (S.4107). “Because of a tough job market and the financial restraints all residents currently face in this ongoing recession, it is vital that incentives are available to small business owners who employ these disadvantaged individuals. They face an almost two-to-one discrepancy in earned median salaries,” said Addabbo.

Should S.4467 be signed into law, it would follow a string of measures taken by the state legislature to move away from the terminology “mental retardation.” In 2007, a law was signed requiring the use of person-centered language when referring to individuals with disabilities. Last year, the New York State agency, “Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities” was changed to the “Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.”

“We should always be respectful and mindful of these courageous individuals who endure unfair obstacles and disadvantages in today’s society,” concluded Addabbo.

ADDABBO: SENATE PASSES BILL REQUIRING CAMP DIRECTORS TO REPORT SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE

Queens, NY, May 17, 2011 – NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens), voted for the recent passage of a Senate bill pending in the legislature, A.05519/S.3777-A, which would amend the social services law to require directors of children’s overnight, summer day and traveling summer day camps to report suspected child abuse and maltreatment, regardless of the location where abuse may have occurred.

Camp operators are currently required by the state Department of Health to report abuse or maltreatment that may occur at camp. However, the directors are not included as mandated reporters of child abuse that may be witnessed in other settings. In addition, directors that report suspected abuse could be liable for civil liability actions, such as slander or defamation. By including overnight, summer day and traveling summer day camp directors among the teaching, medical and law enforcement professions, and many others who act as mandated reporters, New York is increasing the potential for early detection of abuse and facilitating the ability of directors to come forward with important information.

Senator Addabbo explains: “As youth development professionals, camp directors work with hundreds of children each year. Their first interest is in the safety and well-being of their campers. The current Department of Health regulation requires camp operators and directors to report allegations of child abuse only when the alleged abuse or maltreatment occurs at the camp. This new bill extends to outside the camp, granting them immunity from civil liability actions like slander and defamation when they assert a good-faith claim of abuse. It also enlarges the network from the current list of 38 persons and officials required to make such a report immediately to the State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment and the local department of social services when there is reasonable cause to suspect abuse. Such protections encourage camp directors to speak out when a child is threatened, guaranteeing that these professionals won’t hesitate when the need arises to protect their campers.”

The legislation has been sent to the Assembly. If passed, the law will take effect immediately.

ADDABBO: THERE IS NO BETTER TIME TO REFORM ALBANY THAN THE PRESENT

Queens, NY, May 17, 2011 – Answering the public’s outcry for immediate action on ethics reform, and addressing a top priority of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s agenda, NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens) joined other Senate Democratic members in hosting and addressing ethics reform for the first public forum in nearly two years. In utilizing Senate Rule VII Section 4(b) of the Senate Rules, the New York State Democratic Conference convened a public forum on legislation under the jurisdiction of the Investigations and Government Operations Committee.

The Senate members at the forum used news media and social networking tools to open up government and engage the public in an unprecedented effort to reform Albany, including broadcasting live updates on Facebook, LiveStream and Twitter, and the acceptance of real time questions from the public, which were used by Senators during the forum.

The highlighted bills within the Ethics Reform Public Forum included:

• Bill S.31, which establishes an independent commission on governmental ethics;
• Bill S.382, which increases financial and client disclosure requirements;
• Bill S.2333, which eliminates pensions of public officials convicted of misusing their office;
• Bill S.3053, which restricts the personal use of campaign funds;
• Bill S.1565, sponsored by Senator Addabbo, which prohibits political contributions by businesses that have been awarded state contracts.

According to Senator Addabbo, these bills are essential to ethics reform. “Aside from pledges and promises, if we are to move this state government in the direction of improved ethics and credibility, then ethics and campaign finance reform are required ingredients to that end,” stated Addabbo.

Barbara Bartoletti, Legislative Director for the League of Women Voters and one of the attendees, addressed Senator Addabbo’s legislation. “Along with our good government colleagues, the League of Women Voters has consistently called for stricter restrictions on campaign contributions by those who do business with the state and lobbyists. The fact that New York has not done so has created widespread public cynicism and a belief that those who do business with the state are paying through campaign contributions to play with the state,” said Bartoletti.

Other group attendees at the public forum included the New York Public Interest Research Group, the Brennan Center for Justice, Citizen Action, Citizens Union and Common Cause.

Russ Haven, Legislative Counsel for the New York Public Interest Research Group, believes strong, clear ethics laws are needed to keep pace with the loopholes that have been exploited. Jessica Wisneski, Legislative Director of Citizen Action of New York, stated there is a transparent conflict of interest when corporations give money to elected officials to help them win or retain their seats. To this, Senator Addabbo agreed and touched on his work to combat governmental ethics since his 2001 term in the New York City Council. “As a New York City Councilmember and member of its Government Operations Committee, I was involved in groundbreaking legislative changes in campaign finance and ethics reform that I believe benefited the electoral government process, candidates, elected officials and the people we represent.”

Other Democratic Senators present at the public forum included Senators Gustavo Rivera, Neil Breslin, Velmanette Montgomery, Toby Ann Stavisky, Malcolm Smith, Liz Krueger and Daniel Squadron, ranking member of the Senate Investigations & Government Operations Committee.

“As we continue our work here in Albany to come to a consensus on an ethics reform package, I will remain mindful of the will of the people that unethical actions in Albany are not warranted,” concluded Addabbo.

ADDABBO ANNOUNCES PASSAGE OF BILLS PROTECTING AGAINST SEX OFFENDERS

Bills Heighten Protections, Deal with Sex Offender Penalties, Registration, Employment

Queens, NY, May 17, 2011 - NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., (D-Queens) announced that the New York State Senate recently passed a package of bills that strengthen the state’s criminal and correction laws to protect our children and youth from sexual abuse.

• S.1882 - Under current law, a criminal charge of sexual abuse in the 1st degree is applied when children under the age of 11 have been abused by individuals 18 and older. Meanwhile, pedophiles who sexually abuse a 12- or 13-year-old victim are charged with only a Class A misdemeanor, a penalty similar to someone who was guilty of stealing a pack of gum. This Senate bill will charge anyone guilty of abusing a child under the age of 13 with sexual abuse in the 1st degree, a class D felony that carries significantly harsher penalties which will keep pedophiles off the street.
  “Current law is inconsistent and dangerous, especially in a world where 12- and 13-year-olds are using the same modes of communication as the most tech-savvy pedophiles,” said Senator Addabbo. “Those who would sexually abuse young teens must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law, which our bill will guarantee.” The consequences faced under New York State criminal law for a person guilty of a class D felony is up to 7 years in prison, a punishment far more severe than the minimal 15 days to 1 year a person would face if convicted of a class A misdemeanor. The bill is awaiting action in the Assembly.
• S.3207 – Provides that a person is guilty of the crimes of aggravated sexual abuse in the 1st, 2nd or 3rd degree when the victim is under 13 years-old and the abuser is ages 18 or older. Section 1 amends the criminal law by adding a new provision to aggravated sexual abuse in the 3rd degree. Under the new provision, a person is guilty of the crime when he inserts a foreign object in the vagina, urethra, penis, or rectum of a child who is under 13 years-old, and the offender is 18 or older. Section 2 adds a new provision to aggravated sexual abuse in the 2nd degree to provide that a person is guilty of the crime when he inserts a finger in the vagina, urethra, penis, or rectum of a person under 13 and causes physical injury to that person and the actor is 18 or older. Section 3 adds a new provision to aggravated sexual abuse in the 1st degree to provide that a person is guilty of the crime when he inserts a foreign object in the vagina, urethra, penis, or rectum of another under 13 years-old and causes injury to that person and the actor is 18 or older. This act makes a similar change in the age threshold for the crimes of aggravated sexual assault in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree, as those made by the enactment of the Sexual Assault Reform Act of 2000 (SARA) for the crimes of rape or sodomy when the victim is under 13. This bill would take effect on the first of November after the date on which it becomes a law.
• S.1416 – Amends the criminal law and the correction law by establishing penalties for a convicted sex offender’s failure to provide a DNA sample in the 2^nd degree (class A misdemeanor) and in the 1^st degree (class E felony) and a sex offender’s failure to register or verify as a sex offender in the 2^nd degree (class E felony) or in the 1^st degree (class D felony), under the Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA). Failure to register is currently a correction law felony, but not a criminal law felony, so it does not constitute a predicate felony with regard to enhanced sentencing. Moving the offense of “failure to register” to the penal law would improve compliance with the important public safety initiative of SORA by making offenders who repeatedly refuse to comply with their sex offender obligations subject to enhanced sentences. Under Executive Law, certain crimes require the convicted to provide a DNA sample (including assault, homicide, sex offenses, escape or incest). The success of New York State’s DNA data bank depends on it being as complete as possible. However, many convicted criminals continue to flout the law and refuse to comply. Offenders are occasionally charged with obstructing governmental administration in the second degree, though this was not the law’s original intent. Several states have addressed this problem with statutes that provide a misdemeanor penalty or fines. Creating misdemeanor and felony offenses in New York for failure to register or to verify as a sex offender as well as for refusing or failing to provide a DNA sample would provide an incentive to comply with the current law. This bill would take effect on the first of November after the date on which it becomes a law.
• S.3325 – Amends the correction law in relation to sex offender registration, to help insure that sex offenders are held responsible for knowing what the state and local residency and employment laws are in the community and verifying in a statement that they are in compliance with them at time of registration. The current law requires verification of residency and employment but does not put the burden on the offenders of verifying that they are in compliance with state, county and local laws that regulate residency and employment. The State and localities have imposed numerous laws regulating where a sex offender can reside or work. This bill places the obligation on the offender of knowing those laws, complying with them and verifying their compliance. This act shall take effect on the 60^th day after it becomes a law.
• S.1418 – Amends the correction law, in relation to prohibiting permissible employment, employment-related activities and volunteer activities that may be performed by sex offenders. Under the Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA), convicted sex offenders are restricted from living in certain communities, but the law does not extend to limit where they can or cannot work in paid and unpaid circumstances. More specifically, existing state law does not prohibit convicted sex offenders from obtaining “unsupervised” employment. Absent supervision in residential living quarters and assisted living quarters could potentially lead to a dangerous situation. This bill would prevent sex offenders from serving in managerial and supervisory roles in specific fields which the bill identifies as employment within residential living quarters, as a home health aide, and in assisted living facilities. It would take effect immediately.

Addabbo concludes, “I am hopeful that these bills eventually become law in order to strengthen and improve the protection of individuals against sex offenders.”

News From Assembly Member Mike Miller (38th Assembly District)

Assemblyman Helps Raise Pennies for Patients

Assemblyman Miller (D-Queens) joined PS 239 in Ridgewood for their “Pennies for Patients” initiative. The program encourages students to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. PS 239 has participated in this fund-raiser every year since 2004 and has raised over $1,000 every year.

“I am glad that in PS 239 we have a school dedicated to civic responsibility” Assemblyman Miller said. “It really is impressive what these students are capable of doing and I wanted to ensure they were properly congratulated.”

Pictured Left to Right: Principal Robin Connolly, Kate Gordon representing the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Assemblyman Mike Miller, Robert Monahan, and Parent Coordinator Gloria Morgenstern.

Assemblyman Miller: Sales Tax Exemption a Welcome Relief for Consumers, Businesses

As the state grapples with passing a difficult, on-time budget, one marked by painful cuts to close a $10 billion budget gap, cash-strapped families and clothing retailers will get needed relief. Beginning April 1, clothing, footwear and related items sold for less than $55 each will be exempt from the state’s 4 percent sales tax, as well as the 0.375 percent sales tax for the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District.

The tax-free status applies to all relevant items purchased on or after the April 1 start date, whether they’re paid for in person, over the Internet, by phone or by mail. The exemption, which was set in motion last year to help taxpayers, will grow to include apparel costing less than $110 on April 1, 2012.

And the relief can’t come soon enough for our working families, who have struggled to keep afloat amid a down economy and a rising cost of living. The sales tax cut – which will save a family of four an estimated $90-$100 per year – will give those hardest hit by the regressive levy a much-needed break, helping them to better afford vital clothing and footwear.

The exemption will re-energize our economy and keep more dollars in taxpayers’ pockets at a time when it’s most critical. While this is sure to be a help for New York, particularly our communities that border New Jersey and Pennsylvania, we have more work to do if we’re to put the state back on the road to prosperity. That’s why I’ll continue exploring ways to ease the burden on hardworking taxpayers and clear a path for businesses to flourish.

For more information on the sales tax exemption, visit the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance’s website at www.tax.ny.gov.

Assemblyman Miller Holds Essay Contest for Women’s History Month

In honor of Women’s History Month, Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Queens) put a challenge out to local school children, asking them to write an essay about influential women in history. Essay submissions included a wide spectrum of influential women, including Marie Curie, Rosa Parks, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. 


Winners were presented with official citations from the Assemblyman congratulating them on their work. Schools that submitted essays included PS 108, PS 97, PS 91, PS 113, IS 77, Saint Pancras, Saint Mary Gate of Heaven, and Sacred Heart Academy.

Picture Caption, AM Miller with Saint Mary Gate of Heaven: Assemblyman Miller stands with faculty and students from Saint Mary Gate of Heaven in Ozone Park, who participated in the Women’s History Month Essay Contest.

Picture Caption, AM Miller with Saint Pancras: Assemblyman Miller stands with faculty and students from Saint Pancras in Glendale, who participated in the Women’s History Month Essay Contest.

Advisory: Miller Announces Staff Change

Assemblyman Michael Miller (D-Queens) announced today his appointment of Nicholas Roloson as his new Chief of Staff.

Nicholas previously served as Director of Communications for Assemblyman Miller as well as campaign manager for the Assemblyman’s re-election campaign. Both roles have provided him with a deep understanding and appreciation of Assembly District 38

“Nick is young and extremely capable” Assemblyman Miller said. “He has proven through hard work and dedication that he both cares about our community and has the know-how to serve us well."

In addition to his work in government, Nicholas currently serves as president of the College Democrats of New York, which includes over 30 chapters in every region of New York State.

Assemblyman Miller Calls for Cooperation in Sex Offender Case

In response to a request from police to help identify any additional potential victims of accused child molester David Hartshorn, Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Queens) called upon Hartshorn's former employer, ex-Assembly candidate Joe Fox, to begin assisting in the investigation. Hartshorn had served as Fox's campaign manager, and had brought children to campaign events with Fox.

Miller said that Fox should immediately provide police with a list of all children brought to campaign events by Hartshorn, so they can be interviewed by police and counselors to ensure that they were not also victims of abuse, and receive proper counseling if needed.

”Since I was elected to the Assembly, I have made it a priority of mine to protect our children from the dangers of sexual predators. “Miller said. “I am asking that Mr. Fox cooperate with the police in this matter to ensure that all victims receive proper treatment, and that justice is served. We must ensure the protection of our children.”

Statement from Assemblyman Miller Regarding Census Count

The 38th Assembly District is full of immigrants from the Caribbean, European, South Asian and Latin American communities. I find it to be an outrageous claim that the population of our entire borough has only increased by a thousand people when I have seen that level of growth just in my district alone. I stand with the Mayor in his call to revisit these numbers to ensure that immigrant communities receive the adequate level of services they deserve.

Senator Addabbo, Assembly Member Miller Push Passage of Sex Offender Employment Act in Senate & Assembly

Bill Looks to Prevent Hiring Registered Sex Offenders Having Direct Contact with Children Under 16

NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens), a member of the Senate’s Labor Committee, and NYS Assembly Member Michael Miller (D-Queens), are pushing for passage of the Sex Offender Employment Act. The Senate bill, sponsored by Addabbo and passed on Monday, March 7, seeks to prohibit registered sex offenders from working with children ages 16 and under, directly and unsupervised. The bill will now travel to the Assembly where Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Queens) has sponsored the bill. After passage and signature by the governor, this bill will become effective immediately.

The act will amend the Labor Law to prevent employers from hiring sex offenders and child abusers for positions in which they would have substantial contact with children and to prevent those on the New York State Sex Offender Registry and the Statewide Central Registry of Child Abuse and Maltreatment from holding jobs in which they would have substantial contact with children.

The act specifically requires Sex Offender Registry checks for certain employers:

• Any employer that operates a school described in Paragraph F of Subdivision 2 of Section 5001 of the Education
• Law, established for the primary purpose of providing instruction to children under age 16 shall, before hiring a
• prospective employee for a position where such prospective employee is expected to have direct and
• unsupervised contact with children, ascertain whether such prospective employee is listed on the Sex Offender
• Registry, established by Article 6-C of the Correction Law.
• Prior to initiating the Sex Offender Registry inquiry described in Subdivision 1 of this section, an employer shall inform
• the prospective employee that such inquiry will be performed.
• A willful violation of this section shall subject an employer to a civil penalty of not more than $100.

According to Senator Addabbo, “Our first priority must be keeping children safe from dangerous predators. Public school hiring policy already acknowledges how important background checks are for those we trust, especially around our children. Extending the background check requirement to other fields which are, by their nature child-oriented, serves the community as a whole. It would give parents the assurance that their child is safer. It would reduce the risk of creating new victims of sexual abuse by barring known offenders from interacting with children. It would also deter offenders from seeking employment in fields that would give them the means to re-offend.”

Assemblyman Miller Praises Senate Passage of Sex Offender Bill

“Today we move one step closer to protecting our children,” Assemblyman Miller said. “I am thankful to have a friend like Senator Joe Addabbo to help carry this legislation in the Senate. I urge my colleagues in the Assembly to pass my bill as quickly as possible so we can begin implementing these much-needed reforms. Parents should not have to live in fear every time their child goes to a karate class, and these reforms will ensure that their children are much safer.”

Assemblyman Miller: Time To Get Tough On Sex Offenders

In February 2010, we learned that a registered sex offender was a children’s karate instructor in Glendale. Earlier this month allegations surfaced that a convicted sex offender, who was teaching at St. Mel’s school in Flushing, had inappropriate contact with one of his students. Over the past year I have uncovered several flaws in how the State deals with sex offenders. This broken system has put our children in direct contact with sex offenders. This cannot stand and we must change it.

This issue is very important to me and I will not rest until it is solved. We have a simple problem: our laws do not protect our children. The sex offender in Glendale never needed to pass a background check. St. Mel’s teacher was a Level One or “low risk” sex offender, and so his prior offense is not public information. Common sense says that people who have been convicted of crimes against children should not be working with children. Just because it is common sense does not mean it is State law. I introduced a bill in the State Assembly that would make employers responsible for their employees. If an employer is found hiring a sex offender in a position which would put the offender in direct contact with children, the employer would receive a fine. This creates an incentive for the employer to check all of their employees. I also introduced a bill to give the public the information they need on Level One sex offenders. Unfortunately these bills have yet to come up for a vote. I understand that laws can take a long time to make, but while we wait our children are in harm’s way.

To adequately address the issue of sex offenders working within our community we need to focus on three things:

• Informing the Public. We need to know who is working with our children so we can know they are safe.
• Employer Responsibility. We cannot always trust that criminals will not commit crimes. Schools should be certain that the people they hire can be trusted around their students.
• Protecting our Children. We all work hard to protect our children and it is time that our laws start doing the same.

For every moment we do nothing, we are putting our children in harm’s way. It is time for our laws to reflect common sense. It is time to make my bills a law. It is time to get tough on sex offenders.

Queens Sex Fiend Suraj Persaud Told Women He Was Cop Before Raping Them by Thomas Zambito - NY Daily News

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A Queens sex fiend raped two women he met on Craigslist after lying that he was a cop and threatening to have them arrested as hookers, prosecutors say.

Suraj Persaud showed the women his guns, a bulletproof vest and a PBA card before attacking them.

The 34-year-old accused perv faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted; he was being held Tuesday night on $100,000 bail.

'The offenses that he is charged with are crimes of violence that pose a serious threat to public safety,' said Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.

Prosecutors say that on May 16, 2010 Persaud took a 29-year-old woman he met through a Craigslist ad to his Queens Village home and raped her after telling him he was an officer. A week later, he brought home a 19-year-old girl who had offered a 'massage' on the online classified ad service.

Persaud was arrested on May 24, 2010 after the 19-year-old victim went to cops.

He was released on a $35,000 bond and arrested again in July when prosecutors learned about the May 16 incident.

The District Attorney's Offce is asking that others who believe they might also be victims to contact the Special Victims Bureau at 718-286-6111.

Assembly Member Miller Fights Back Against Sex Offender Bill Criticisms by Howard Koplowitz - Queens Campaigner

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This seems to me to be a baseless, fact-less attack by Samaroo...

Assemblyman Michael Miller’s (l.) campaign says Farouk Samaroo’s criticism of his sex offender bill is “insulting” to Queens families.

State Assemblyman Michael Miller (D-Woodhaven) said an attack launched against him by a supporter of his primary opponent, Nick Comaianni, on a sex offender bill he sponsored was full of inaccuracies and denied claims that the legislation was watered down due to concerns from special interest groups.

Farouk Samaroo, who co-founded a Democratic club with Comaianni, said in a letter sent to TimesLedger Newspapers that the bill, which would require employers who hire workers who supervise or come into contact with children to run a sex offender check on prospective employees, is a “complete fraud.”

Miller’s campaign said, “Nick Comaianni’s campaign supporters should be ashamed of themselves for criticizing a bill that will protect New York’s families and children. It is a shame that Mr. Comaianni has resorted to negative campaigning and baseless attacks, which is an insult to the families of Queens.”

Comaianni said he had nothing to do with Samaroo’s statement.

Samaroo claimed the first version of the bill would have required the check to be done by all businesses, but was changed June 15 to just businesses whose workers deal with children because Miller raised “tens of thousands of dollars from his new Albany lobbyist and special interests friends.”

Campaign finance records showed Miller raised $15,000 from corporate donors and about $11,000 so far from individuals.

“It’s not like [Miller’s] getting massive corporate dollars at all,” a source with Miller’s campaign said.

The source said the bill has bipartisan support and no businesses were lobbying against the legislation.

Samaroo also claimed the bill would only affect 1 percent of businesses in the state, but he could not be reached to find out where he got that statistic.
Miller’s campaign said the bill was amended not because of special interests, but because it was “too expansive legislatively to make it work out.”

“The bill was still very vast in its scope. This was the best bill they could come up with and it’s still a groundbreaking bill,” the source said. “As far as where Farouk got the 99 percent thing, I honestly don’t know. I think he pulled it out of thin air. Farouk’s two main points, both are completely on their face invalid.”

Under the bill, which is currently in the Assembly Codes Committee, employers who do not run the sex offender registry check would be fined up to $100.

Senator Addabbo: New Law Passed by Senate Protects the Kids from Sex Offenders; Requires Registered Sex Offender, Abuse Screening for Jobs Working with Children

NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) announced the passing of legislation in the Senate (S6998A) which will help prevent employers from hiring registered sex offenders and those guilty of child abuse for jobs that require a significant time spent around children.

While hiring policies utilized by public schools already include background checks and ensure this security for children, other organizations do not currently practice similar diligence.

Senator Addabbo praised the passing of the bill, noting this will prevent anyone on either the New York State Sex Offender Registry or the Statewide Central Registry of Child Abuse and Maltreatment from gaining employment in a manner that again places a child at risk. This bill passed the Senate unanimously (61-0) and a vote is pending in the Assembly.

“Our primary objective must be to keep our children safe from dangerous predators,” said Senator Addabbo. “This legislation reduces the risk of exposing new victims to sexual abuse by keeping known offenders from spending extended time alone around children, like at martial arts or dance and music schools, in addition to our local schools, day care facilities and camps.”

Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Glendale), who introduced the bill in the Assembly after learning that a registered sex offender was working at a karate school in Glendale, added, “This is great news for parents and children across New York. Getting this through the Assembly and signed into law is my first priority.”

The Assemblyman continued, “Extending the background check requirement to other child-oriented fields benefits the whole community. It gives parents the peace of mind of knowing their child is safe, it guards sex offenders and abusers from potentially committing another violation, and it reduces the risk of creating new victims of sexual abuse by prohibiting known offenders from interacting with children.”

Addabbo concluded, “Should this bill become law, I plan on working with the appropriate agencies to ensure safety for our children.”

To learn more about the Sex Offender Registry, log on to http://criminaljustice.state.