Directs the department of economic development to study methods for keeping small retail businesses within the state and create a pilot program to train and counsel small business owners and potential small business owners; appropriates $210,000 therefor.
Relates to establishing the New York state grid modernization commission; provides the commission shall conduct a study of research, development and demonstrations of electric grid modernization and shall issue such report to the state energy planning board for consideration in the state energy plan.
Prohibits the knowing sale of xylazine above a certain weight to persons under the age of 21 and without proof of the intended use for institutional, veterinary, or scientific purposes.
Prohibits unsolicited telemarketing sales calls during a declared state of emergency or disaster emergency where the declaration or proclamation of emergency includes a finding that unsolicited telemarketing sales calls would impair actions taken to limit, control, or mitigate the emergency; explains the basis of such finding; provides that such prohibition may not extend for a period of more than two weeks, subject to renewal for additional two-week periods by further findings of necessity made at the end of each two-week period.
Establishes the rare disease advisory council to identify best practices, raise awareness regarding rare diseases, evaluate barriers to access to care, and to make recommendations to the legislature and the governor.
Prohibits the diminution of health insurance benefits of public employee retirees and their dependents or reducing the employer's contributions for such insurance; defines employers to include the state, municipalities, school districts, and public authorities and commissions.
Requires residents of the state, who are foreign refugees, to register with the office of temporary and disability assistance; directs such office to provide registration information to the office of children and family services, the department of health, the office for new Americans, the department of law, the division of state police, the NYC police department, county sheriff's offices, municipal police departments, and the division of homeland security and emergency services; directs the office for new Americans to conduct background screenings of all refugees who register; requires refugee resettlement agencies to submit quarterly reports to the bureau of refugee and immigrant assistance on the refugees to whom it provides assistance, and to monitor the activities of such refugees for a certain period of time; directs the division of homeland security and emergency services to develop and implement a plan to ensure compliance by refugee resettlement agencies.
Establishes a supplemental household and dependent care credit payment for taxpayers who are eligible for certain household and dependent care services necessary for gainful employment.
Deems home instruction which is compliant with the provisions of article 65 of the education law and the home instruction requirements prescribed in the commissioner of education's regulations to be substantially equivalent in amount and quality to the instruction given to students of like age and attainments at the public schools of the city or district where the student resides.