Bethpage-Tribune_2002-01-11

              une reiebrating Our
VOL 40 NO. 4 SERVING BETHPAGE, ISLAND TREES, OLD BETHPAGE, PLAINVIEW, SEAFORD AND PLAINEDGE FORTY CENTS
Senator Kemp Hannon (R-6th
S.D.) announced that laws designed
to help young families achieve their
dream of owning their first home will
be among new laws to take effect
January 1. Also to take effect on
January 1 are laws to help make long
term care insurance more affordable
for many New Yorkers; to help more
seniors keep their homes by
expanding eligibility for STAR
property tax cuts; and to protect
local governments that receive bad
checks.
• Property Tax Exemptions for
First Time Home buyers
Under this law, localities across
New York will have the option of
allowing a partial real property tax
exemption for a maximum of five
years for first time homeowners of
newly constructed homes. The
legislation is designed to help and
encourage New Yorkers to purchase
low to moderately priced new homes
in New York and to keep them from
relocating out of state. Not only will
this help keep New Yorkers here in
the Empire State, but it will help New
York businesses compete for and
attract new, qualified employees.
• Tax Breaks For More New
Yorkers With Long-Term Care
Insurance
As the population ages, access
to high-quality, reliable long-term
health care has become increasingly
important. Under present law, New
York residents with qualified long-term
care insurance are eligible to
receive a 10% tax deduction or credit
for their insurance premiums on their
state income taxes. New Yorkers
who use out-of-state insurance
companies, however, have found it
exceedingly difficult to be eligible for
the tax credit. This law will
streamline and simplify the process
in order to make the tax credit
available to more New Yorkers with
long-term care insurance plans.
• Property Tax Breaks For
More New York Senior Citizens
For the last four years the
popular STAR program has provided
needed relief from rising local
property taxes for middle to low
income New Yorkers - especially
senior citizens on fixed incomes.
Under current law, however, senior
citizens who care for grandchildren,
foster children, or other members of
the extended family at their
residence are ineligible for the
property tax relief. This law would
allow local school districts to grant
these caregivers the same
exemptions as all low income
seniors.
More 2001 Laws Taking Effect
In 2002
January 1,2002
• Employees of public benefit
New laws Taking Effect in 2002
corporations and public authorities
who served in the armed forces must
be entitled to employee leave on
Veterans' and Memorial days.
• Certain health insurance
policies which provide
comprehensive coverage will be
required to include coverage for pre
hospital emergency medical services
rendered by authorized ambulance
companies.
January 17, 2002
• The production and sale of "I
Love New York" distinctive license
plates will be authorized; and . ..
proceeds may be used by the
Department of Economic
Development for tourism marketing
programs.
• New procedures will be
established to ensure the
confidentiality of records and
samples obtained from genetic tests
used for research purposes, and the
use of biological samples will be
permitted for general research if the
individuals who provide the samples
give prior written informed consent.
January 27, 2002
• Governmental agencies will be
required to reimburse non-hospital
based primary care clinics which
operate registered pharmacies on a
fee-for-service basis for prescription
drugs provided to Medicaid
recipients.
February 1, 2002
• Emergency medical technicians
(EMTs) will be required to report
cases of suspected child abuse or
maltreatment that they encounter
while performing their duties.
February 28, 2002
• Registration fees and service
charges or renewal fees for
distinctive license plates for
members of certain veterans related
associations will be eliminated.
March 18, 2002
• Existing safety standards will
be enhanced for the use of water
skis, tubes, and surfboards; and the
use of such devices after sundown
will be prohibited.
• Property/casualty insurance
contracts will be required to include
a provision obligating insurers to
furnish a copy of any written
estimate of damages independently
prepared for their own purposes to
insureds within 30 days after the
insured's written request or after
preparation of a damage estimate,
whichever is later.
• The "Drive Out Diabetes"
distinctive license plate will be
created in support of diabetes
research as well as a special fund to
support such research.
• Certain public places
(restaurants, bars, theaters and
health clubs) will be required to have
resuscitation equipment available in
quantities deemed adequate by the
Department of Health.
March 19,2002
• Businesses in New York will be
required to store cigarettes and
other tobacco products in areas that
are only accessible by store
personnel. Self-service displays of
tobacco products will be prohibited
in retail establishments; except those
that do not admit people age 18 and
under.
April 3, 2002
• In-line hockey skates and in­line
speed skates sold through
custom orders will be exempted from
certain requirements regulating the
sale of in-line skates; but additional
warning language to customers will
be required.
April 21, 2002
• Every school district and
BOCES will be required to develop a
plan to ensure that all instructional
materials used within the district are
available in a suitable alternative
format for disabled students.
April 28, 2002
;• The "Uniform Child Custody
Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act"
will be enacted, estabJishing
standards for determining which
court's order is controlling
jurisdiction. It will also modify and/or
enforce child custody orders and
establish an expedited procedure for
enforcement of orders.
April 29, 200^
Investigations and reports
must be filed with
of Motor Vehicles
the Commissioner
regarding certain
passenger and ccmmercial motor
vehicle, motorcyc e, bicyclist or
pedestrian accidents. The reports
will include information regarding
violations of the Vehicle and Traffic
Law and the cause of the accident;
and the Commissioner will submit a
report on such matters and make
recommendations for accident
prevention measures.
• Driver's license sanctions will
be provided for drivers of certain
commercial vehic es who do not stop
at railroad crossings.
June 29, 2002
• Certain commercial trucks
operating in New York State must be
equipped with a rear view mirror
system that allows the driver to see
persons located behind the truck.
July 1,2002
• Any person under 14 years of
age will be prohibited from riding a
scooter unless he/she is wearing an
approved helmet
August 29, 2002
All electrically operated
partitions and room dividers in
(Please turn to page
Walk For America
15)
^Hwa*
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto (bacik row second from
left), Councilmembers Angelo A. Delligatti (back row right), Leonard B.
Symons (front row center), Joe Muscarella (back row fourth from right),
Bonnie A. Eisler (back row fifth from right), Anthony D. Macagnone
(back row left), Clerk Martha Offerman (back row second from right)
and Receiver of Taxes James J. Stefanich (back row third from left)
recently congratulated students and faculty advisors of the Plainview-
Old Bethpage Middle School Leo Club and Student
Town citation for raising $4,650 at their "Walk for America" fund raiser.
Also pictured (front row left to right) were Dana Foifrestor, Student
Council Advisor; Beth Feinstein, Leo Club Advisor;
Aaron Langenauer; Ricky Meshkow; and Laura O'Brien, Co-Advisor for
Student Council.