Establishes the child victims act fund which provides grant awards in reimbursement to public school districts and voluntary foster care agencies located within the state who have been named as defendants in certain child sexual abuse legal cases and in which it can be demonstrated by the public school district or voluntary foster care agency that no insurance policy for the covered period can be located after a good-faith effort to do so has been made, there was a monetary judgment issued or settlement agreement with regard to such action and where it can be demonstrated by the public school district or voluntary foster care agency that payment in full of such judgment or settlement would put a substantial burden on the district's or agency's ability to execute its mission and negatively impact its existing student population.
Enacts the student journalist free speech act to protect student speech at educational institutions unless such speech is libelous, an invasion of privacy, or incites students to commit an unlawful act, violate school policies, or to materially and substantially disrupt the orderly operation of the school.
Removes the lifetime ban on jury duty for convicted felons; provides that if convicted of a felony, such person has completed all sentencing requirements to such conviction, including any required term of imprisonment, probation, or community supervision.
Relates to decreasing the length of the suspension period applicable to certain individuals who lose their jobs due to a labor dispute, such as a strike, and who seek to obtain unemployment insurance benefits; decreases the suspension period from two consecutive weeks to one week; provides that the waiting period and suspension period shall be served concurrently.
Establishes the civil right to counsel in eviction proceedings in New York state; creates the New York state office of civil representation; requires that covered individuals be given notice of such right to counsel.
Adds arts and music education as a common school branch that should be incorporated into the public school curriculum to provide a more well-rounded education for children.
Expands the eligibility period for indigent legal service attorneys to receive certain loan forgiveness; increases loan reimbursement for certain attorneys who work in legal services with indigent clients.
Authorizes the city of Rochester to adopt a local law requiring a member of the police force in such city to be a resident of Rochester subsequent to the effective date of such local law.
Provides for coordination between the department of health and the state long-term care ombudsman regarding residential health care facilities, including such facilities' compliance with state and federal law, and histories of complaints.
Directs the division of criminal justice services to promulgate safety standards and training requirements for the protection of law enforcement staff against biological hazards posed by spitting of persons in custody.
Requires at least one full-time guidance counselor to be employed in each elementary, intermediate, middle, junior and senior high school throughout the state; sets duties of guidance counselors.