Includes, for the purpose of payment of restitution or reparation, within the definition of the term "victim" any person or entity which provides assistance for the prevention or mitigation of damage to person or property caused by an offense. / Sponsor: DEFRANCISCO Committee:

Prohibits insurers from limiting payment on claims for damage to motor vehicles based on pricing caps for labor, parts, paint or repair materials; prohibits insurers from recommending a particular repair facility; and requires insurers to provide and retain a signed notice to claimants in relation to insured's right to have a vehicle repaired in the shop of his/her choice. / Sponsor: DEFRANCISCO Committee: INSURANCE

Increases the penalties for persons leaving the scene of a boating accident. / Sponsor: DEFRANCISCO Committee: CULTURAL AFFAIRS, TOURISM, PARKS AND RECREATION

Restricts the ability of perpetrators of violent crimes to access personal records of their victims. / Sponsor: DEFRANCISCO Committee: CODES

Provides for the types of damages that may be awarded to the persons for whose benefit an action for wrongful death is brought i.e. grief and anguish; loss of love, society, protection, comfort, companionship and consortium; reasonable funeral expenses; reasonable expenses for medical care, treatment etc. prior to death; pecuniary injuries due to loss of services, support, inheritance; and loss of nurture, guidance or education. / Sponsor: DEFRANCISCO Committee: JUDICIARY

Authorizes public welfare officials to withhold rent from a landlord when real estate taxes for the rental property are unpaid. / Sponsor: DEFRANCISCO Committee: SOCIAL SERVICES

Permits municipalities the local option of providing a tax exemption to certain National Guard members and reservists. / Sponsor: DEFRANCISCO Committee:

Repeals that restriction of the judiciary law prohibiting contingent fees and requiring a sliding scale fee for attorneys in claims or actions for medical, dental or podiatric malpractice. / Sponsor: DEFRANCISCO Committee: JUDICIARY

Permits a plaintiff to recover directly against a third party defendant found to be liable to the defendant in certain actions. / Sponsor: DEFRANCISCO Committee: JUDICIARY

Relates to criminal mischief in the third degree. / Sponsor: DEFRANCISCO Committee: CODES

Establishes eminent domain shall only be used for public projects; establishes after any industrial development agency approves the use of eminent domain, the county legislature or the New York city council shall vote to determine whether or not to condemn such property; establishes a condemnor shall reimburse a condemnee any relocation costs. / Sponsor: DEFRANCISCO Committee: JUDICIARY

Provides that with just compensation paid, private property may be taken only when necessary for the possession, occupation, or enjoyment of land by the public at large or by public agencies. / Sponsor: DEFRANCISCO Committee: JUDICIARY

Enacts the "patient privacy protection act"; prohibits interviews of other party's treating physicians or health care providers in personal injury, medical, dental, or podiatric malpractice or wrongful death actions. / Sponsor: DEFRANCISCO Committee: JUDICIARY

Makes indemnification agreements, relating to construction contracts void as against public policy. / Sponsor: DEFRANCISCO Committee: JUDICIARY

Relates to the unenforceability of a contract clause requiring a contractor or subcontractor to continue unapproved or disputed work. / Sponsor: DEFRANCISCO Committee: JUDICIARY

Provides for a reasonable amount of construction contract sum to be deposited in a separate interest bearing escrow account with a third party escrow agent; provides further that the owner shall be subject to the payment of interest, in addition to the escrow interest, at the rate of one percent per month and the contractor or subcontractor shall be subject to payment of interest on the amount of retainage it holds at the rate of one percent per month. / Sponsor: DEFRANCISCO Committee: INFRASTRUCTURE AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT

Provides that a conviction for operation of a motor vehicle, snowmobile, or all terrain vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs shall be deemed a prior conviction for the purpose of imposing penalties for boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and a conviction for operating a vessel, snowmobile or all terrain vehicle under the influence to be a prior conviction of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence. / Sponsor: DEFRANCISCO Committee: TRANSPORTATION

Provides for release of subcontractor's retainage held by a public owner or contractor sixty days after substantial completion of work. / Sponsor: DEFRANCISCO Committee:

Repeals provisions relating to imposition of a highway use tax for the privilege of operating any vehicular unit upon the public highways of the state. / Sponsor: DEFRANCISCO Committee: INVESTIGATIONS AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Increases fines for throwing refuse on highways and adjacent lands. / Sponsor: DEFRANCISCO Committee: TRANSPORTATION