Requires merchants to accept cash as payment for goods and services; permits the superintendent of financial services to provide exemptions based on certain criteria.
Creates the office of the correctional ombudsperson to achieve transparency, fairness, impartiality and accountability in New York state correctional facilities; relates to reports by coroners; designates investigators of the office of the correctional ombudsperson as peace officers; authorizes the attorney general to investigate the alleged commission of any criminal offense committed by an employee of the department of corrections and community supervision in connection with their official duties; relates to the confidentiality of certain records; includes the office of the correctional ombudsperson records within the definition of public safety agency records; makes related provisions.
Allows for certain disability benefits to continue in the event an individual who is receiving such benefits gets married; provides that the marriage to another individual which would otherwise make an individual ineligible for certain disability benefits shall not be considered if such individual is already receiving disability benefits at the time of becoming married and continues to meet certain criteria.
Establishes a civil cause of action for employees who are subjected to an abusive work environment; provides employers shall be vicariously liable for such work environment.
Requires electric corporations, gas corporations, steam corporations and water-works corporations to adopt the common equity ratio and rate of return on equity authorized by the public service commission unless such utility can successfully demonstrate that such authorized rates do not meet their capital and/or operating needs.
Renames an office of addiction services and supports scholarship program the "NYS Father Peter Young Memorial Addiction Professionals Scholarship Program"; codifies the purposes of such program as offering financial education assistance to individuals pursuing a bachelor's degree in addiction studies or the education requirements for an office of addiction services and supports credential at Alfred State College, Stony Brook University or Empire State University.
Prohibits agreements to pay or provide benefits or wage supplements from including a provision specifying that an employee with accrued, unused vacation pay will not be compensated for such vacation pay upon termination; provides for a minimum of two weeks of wages upon termination to employees who receive granted time.
Categorizes the assault of a code enforcement official or other individual responsible for building inspection performing their lawful duties under such position as a class D felony.