Senator Carlucci & Senate Majority Pass Legislation to Help Working Families & Protect Children

(Albany, NY) Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester) and the Senate Majority passed legislation to support New York families and protect children. The bills will promote flexible working arrangements, improve childcare safety, and protect children. Additionally, these bills support children’s mental health and physical well-being.

Bill Sponsor, Senator David Carlucci said, “Legislation I sponsor to ban crib bumpers is about preventing infant deaths. We know these accessories are not safe and yet they are still marketed to parents as a matching nursery accessory. It’s time we ban their sale in New York State and prevent further tragedies.”

The package of legislation advanced by Carlucci and the Senate Majority includes:

• Banning of Crib Bumper Pads (S.3788) - sponsored by Senator David Carlucci, will restrict the sale and use of crib bumper pads under certain circumstances. This bill will prevent deaths of and serious injury to infants, which have been attributed to the use of crib bumper pads.
• Flexible Working Arrangements (S.3665) - gives employees that right to request flexible working arrangements that meet the needs of both the employer and employee. However, this bill would not make flexible working arrangements in the workplace a requirement, but instead would give employees the right to request flexible working arrangements and employers the right to reject such requests. This legislation also prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for exercising this right.
• Child Care Availability Study (S.753A) - directs the Office of Children and Family Services to study and make recommendations on the availability of child day care and childcare assistance, and determine the unmet need of childcare subsidies across the state.
• Childcare Expenses (S.2680) – allows candidates for state and local office within New York State to use campaign funds for any childcare expenses incurred as a direct result of their candidacy.
• Brendan’s Law (S.3186) - requires child day care centers, public institutions for children and certain other facilities install new or replacement window coverings.
• Summer Camp Staffing (S.3834) - allows summer camps to hire licensed social workers, physical therapists, psychologists, athletic trainers, mental health care professionals, occupational therapists and other licensed professionals to provide services to children at summer camps.
• Unsecured Furniture (S.3563A) - requires child day care centers to anchor down all furniture and electronics that are located in the facility.
• New York State Reuniting Families Act (S.5024A) - establishes the “New York State Reuniting Families Act” that will enable foster care children to rejoin their families and ultimately exit the public welfare system. It will also ensure that separated families receive appropriate care and due process.
• Window Blind Safety (S.4181) - requires that information be made available to parents regarding window blind safety and the potential fatal consequences from strangulation posed by window blinds.
• Childcare Accessibility Study (S.5690) - directs Empire State Development to study the impact of childcare facilities in economically distressed areas and to develop strategies to expand access to childcare services.