New protections for crime victims appear "Women's Equality" bills.

On Oct. 21, New York enacted new laws related to women's rights that deal with a variety of issues, including pay equity and protection of employees from sexual harassment and pregnancy discrimination.

Among the new rules, designed to protect crime victims, including victims of sex trafficking, are the following:

The Family Court Act has been amended to allow the Chief Administrator of the Courts to promulgate rules to “establish and implement a pilot program for the filing of petitions for temporary orders of protection by electronic means and for the issuance of such orders ex parte by audio-visual means in order to accommodate litigants for whom attendance at court to file for, and obtain, emergency relief would constitute an undue hardship or to accommodate litigants, for whom traveling to and appearing in the courthouse to obtain emergency relief, creates a risk of harm to such litigant.”

The "Trafficking Victims Protection and Justice Act," amends and adds many new sections of law. New crimes include aggravated labor trafficking, a class C felony; patronizing a person for prostitution in a school zone, a class E felony; and aggravated patronizing a minor for prostitution, a felony.

These new provisions become effective in 2016.

#DVFree: Implementing the Human Right to be Free from Domestic Violence

A panel discussion will be head Tuesday, October 20th at 12:20 p.m. in Saperston Student Lounge, G65 Myron Taylor Hall, Cornell University:

"#DVFree: Implementing the Human Right to be Free from Domestic Violence in Tompkins County, NY."

Panelists will discuss their work in drafting guidelines for employers to protect victims of domestic violence.

The panel will include Heather Campbell, Executive Director, Advocacy Center of Tompkins County, Alexander Gutierrez, J.D. Candidate and member of the Global Gender Justice Clinic, Carolina Morales, J.D. Candidate and member of the Global Gender Justice Clinic, and Amanda Reynoso-Palley, J.D. Candidate and member of the Global Gender Justice Clinic.

The panel is sponsored by Cornell Law School’s Global Gender Justice Clinic and the Avon Global Center for Women and Justice.

Lunch will be served. Interested attendees should RSVP by Monday, October 19 to Christina Price, cmp265@cornell.edu.

South Seneca Schools to Gain Police Officer

From the Ovid Gazette:

At the Ovid town board meeting Sept. 2, a shared services agreement that will allow Interlaken police chief Leon Anderson to patrol the schools and be their resource officer was

approved. Anderson gave his presentation, then left for a meeting with the South Seneca School Board whose meeting also began at 7 p.m.

His presentation was to inform about the required elements needed to complete the paperwork needed for a School Resource Officer position, which will be new to the school district. Anderson said it would also benefit the village and town of Ovid as well as the Village of Interlaken and the Town of Covert.

He further explained that the agreement, which comes at no cost to the villages or the towns, has been reviewed by the town attorney, Steven Getman, and Barry Porsch, District Attorney, to make sure that it meets all of the criteria.

The purpose of the SRO (School Resource Officer) position is “to protect our most vulnerable residents: in our community – our children and our schools. Tonight I am looking to the board to sign the Shared Services Agreement which is before you. If you have questions, I will answer them.”

State Appellate Court to hold session at Cornell

The New York State Supreme Court’s Appellate Division will be hearing oral arguments in Cornell Law School’s Moot Court Room from 9:30 am to noon on Thursday, October 22.

Arguments are open to the public.

Following adjournment, the justices attending will hold a short question and answer period regarding the proceedings.

Summaries of the cases to be argued have been provided by the court for informational purposes. They include cases of potential local interest to Finger Lakes residents.

For more information, click here.

5th National Animal Cruelty Prosecution Conference

The Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (APA) in partnership with the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) presents the 5th National Animal Cruelty Prosecution Conference taking place on

November 4-6, 2015 in Pittsburgh, PA.

This conference, hosted at the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, will bring together prosecutors, investigators, veterinarians and related professionals in the criminal justice and animal welfare field, to enhance their efforts in combating animal cruelty and related violent crimes.

There is no registration fee for this conference.

For more information, click here.

Results of "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" Labor Day Crackdown

New York State Police arrested 769 individuals for driving while intoxicated during the 20-day Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over crackdown on impaired driving.

During this crackdown, State Police and local law enforcement agencies targeted not only drunk or impaired motorists, but also drivers who were distracted, speeding, not wearing seatbelts, and not abiding by the “move over” law.

State Police report that of the 769 DWI arrests between the August 21 to September 7 enforcement period, more than 219 occurred during Labor Day weekend alone. During the same period last year, 663 people were arrested for DWI.

During the campaign, Troopers also issued 47,359 tickets, up from more than 46,500 in 2014: 18,660 for speeding, 1,613 for distracted driving, 2,522 for child restraint and seatbelt violations, and 556 for failing to “move over.” Additionally, state police investigated 2,973 crashes during the 20-day period, compared to 2,940 last year. Of these crashes, 857 people were injured, and 25 people were killed.

For more on this program, click here.

School’s Open, Drive Carefully

AAA’s annual “School’s Open—Drive Carefully” campaign alerts motorists to the special risks to school-age children from motor vehicle crashes, the leading cause of death for children from five to fourteen years old. This year, the campaign begins September 2, 2015 and runs through October 14.

With our schools reopening, children will be boarding buses and walking to and from school. All motorists should drive carefully and be especially aware of school speed zones, school bus traffic, and children walking. Drivers should be particularly alert for children darting out between parked cars on busy streets.

Motorists will receive an additional reminder each time they see one of the “School’s Open” bumper stickers on official vehicles, school buses and passenger cars.

For more information on AAA's "School's Open, Drive Carefully" program, click here.

Calling all superheroes to the CASA fun run

The Third Annual CASA Superhero 5K and 1K Fun Run is coming to Watkins Glen High School on Sunday, September 20.

Register by September 5 to save $5 on your entry and guarantee a free T-SHIRT for 12 and over, or a CAPE for all kids under 12. Teams are welcome.

Race Day Schedule of Events:
8:00 am Registration / Number Pick-Up
9:00 am 5K Race Start
9:45 am 1K Fun Run

Awards will follow immediately after the 1K Fun Run

If you are looking for an opportunity to do even more, take the Superhero Challenge: All Superheroes raising $100 or more get free entry. And all Superheroes or Superhero Teams that raise over $500 will be inducted into the CASA of the Southern Tier Justice League Hall of Fame on Race Day. Set up you sponsor page here to get started!

All proceeds from the race stay local for the advocacy of abused and neglected children in Schuyler, Chemung, and Steuben Family Court.

For information, click here.

'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' campaign starts

In an attempt to reduce deaths and injuries due to drunk driving, New York State officials have announced an end-of-summer crackdown on impaired driving.

The initiative, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” is a joint effort of the New York State Police and local law enforcement.

The campaign starts today and runs through Labor Day, Sept. 7

Ovid Interviews Comprehensive Plan Consultants

Finger Lakes Community Newspapers:

The June 10, 2015, meeting of the Town of Ovid board was opened by supervisor Walter Prouty...

Councilman Brian Flood inquired about the status of the search for a consultant for the town’s anticipated Comprehensive Plan for land management. Town attorney Steven Getman said he had a couple of responses. When the successful candidates have been chosen there needs to be an interview at which specific questions are asked, as suggested by Councilman John Hubbard.

Getman said, “My recollection is that the Planning Board and the Town Board members were to submit questions to me so I can have a chance to look at them ahead of time and make sure all areas are covered.”

Once he comes up with an approved list of questions, each boards’ members will be assigned questions to be asked of each candidate to put all on the same playing field. It was decided that the candidates will be given up to 10 minutes for presentation and 10 minutes to answer questions.

Getman felt that the sooner he gets the questions from the boards, the easier it will be to get the questions on the short list.