Senator Mike Nozzolio Announces New State Laws to Help Veterans, Protect Minors, and Create Jobs

Senator Mike Nozzolio today announced that measures to help veterans find employment and housing are among the highlights of new state laws that will take effect on January 1, 2015.

“It is my belief that there is no greater debt of honor owed to anyone than that which every American citizen owes to our veterans, especially those who have been disabled while serving our Nation,” said Senator Mike Nozzolio. “Our veterans have sacrificed so much to protect our country and its people, and these new laws are a way in which we can honor our veterans and begin to repay the debt we owe to them.”

New laws that take effect on New Year’s Day will help to reduce the tax burden on businesses, provide tax credits to employers that hire people with developmental disabilities, allow banks to freeze credit records of minors to prevent identity theft, protect people in adult care facilities and expand opportunities to finance end-of-life care.

“These new state laws will help protect many of our more vulnerable citizens,” said Senator Mike Nozzolio.  “The measures will encourage the hiring of people with disabilities, protect minors from identity theft, and help ensure the safety of residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. It is crucial that we continue to protect our children, the elderly, and the disabled,” concluded Senator Nozzolio.

Below is a detailed list of laws that take effect on January 1, 2015.

Hire a Veteran Tax Credit –  Businesses can now receive a tax credit for hiring and employing a qualified veteran;

Homeless Veteran Assistance Fund – This law creates a fund to assist homeless veterans with housing and housing-related expenses. A new dedicated tax check-off will enable New Yorkers to make contributions in any dollar amount when filing their personal income taxes;

Corporate Tax Reform –  Tax reform measures included in the 2014-15 state budget are expected to save businesses $205 million this year and $501 million annually by 2018-19, when the reforms are fully phased in;

Workers with Disabilities Tax Credit Program – Beginning January 1st, a tax incentive will be available to business owners who employ individuals with developmental disabilities;

Protecting Minors From Identity Theft – Credit agencies will now be required to place a credit record freeze on the account of a minor when requested by a parent or guardian. This will protect children from identity theft and stop thieves from being able to use stolen information to apply for government benefits, open bank and credit cards, apply for loans or rent a place to live;

Protecting People in Adult Homes – This new law requires adult care facilities and assisted living residences to perform criminal background checks on prospective direct care staff for nursing homes and home care agencies;

Long Term Health Care Insurance –  In 2010, the Legislature enacted a law that allows end-of-life care for people in nursing homes to be financed using accelerated payments from life insurance. Starting January 1, 2015, the measure will be expanded to allow for this type of financing to be used for people receiving end-of-life care in hospice, adult day care services, palliative care or by a long-term home health care provider.  In addition, the law establishes a public awareness program to encourage individuals to purchase life insurance and/or long-term care insurance. Encouraging more people to finance their own long-term care will reduce future Medicaid expenditures, as well as provide greater peace-of-mind for families dealing with end-of-life care for loved ones.