EXCERPT FROM: Hudson Valley Press Online
By STAFF
Albany - Governor David A. Paterson recently signed 18 bills into law including legislation that will enhance the availability of child day care centers, enacts the "Jury Pool Fair Representation Act" and extends the period of time in which Vietnam veterans may seek compensation for injuries caused by exposure to Agent Orange, among others. Governor Paterson vetoed one bill.
Among the bills the Governor signed into law is a bill which will enhance the availability of safe, affordable and accessible child day care. This bill will also increase the child day care capacity in a group family day care home, and will improve quality, safety enforcement for all levels of child day care.
"Quality child care provides incredible benefits for children and is essential for working parents," Governor Paterson said. "I am pleased to sign this legislation which will help ensure that parents are able to find safe and affordable home day care programs."
Governor Paterson also signed A.2374A/S.2613-A, which will enact the "Jury Pool Fair Representation Act" to provide for the collection and submission of demographic data of jurors in an annual report. This law will address recent studies which have shown that minority populations in New York State are under-represented in civil jury pools in certain part of New York City.
"One of the many strengths of our judicial system is the option of a trial by a jury of our peers," Governor Paterson said. "This legislation will help provide us with the information necessary to improve jury representation and help us better realize our goals of a fair and equitable court system."
Additionally, Governor Paterson signed A.9737/S.7021, which extends the period of time that a Vietnam War veteran may file a lawsuit to recover for injuries caused by exposure to Agent Orange.
"It is our responsibility, and a moral imperative, to ease the burdens of those who sacrificed so much for our nation," Governor Paterson said. "I am proud to sign this legislation which will allow many of our veterans who were exposed to and injured by Agent Orange, and would have been unable to sue for damages, to seek justice."
The following bills were among those also signed into law:
• A.8313A/S.5838-A: Amends Executive Law 23-b to clarify that standard promulgated by the Disaster Preparedness Commission for disaster preparedness plans for nursing homes and assisted living facilities do not modify or override duly promulgated agency regulations or preclude agencies from promulgating future regulations in the area.