Latest Efforts to Curb Opioid Epidemic in NY: Controlled Substance Schedule Changes

New York State officials have announced a budget amendment will be advanced to add 11 fentanyl analogs to the state controlled substances schedule and provide the New York State Health Commissioner the authority to add any new drugs that have been added to the federal schedule, to the state controlled substances schedule.

These actions are intended support law enforcement in their efforts to stop the spread of lethal drugs in New York State.

In recent years, fentanyl analogs have been increasingly found pressed into pill form to resemble name-brand prescription opioids, and in heroin and cocaine being sold in New York State. Compared to 30 milligrams of heroin, just three milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal.

There is currently a loophole in state law that has left 11 dangerous fentanyl analogs off New York's controlled substances schedule.

For more on this initiative, click here.

For more on the Schuyler County Attorney's efforts to thwart opioid abuse, click here.

Combatting Human Trafficking

The Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit of the US Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division and the National Legal Aid and Defender Association are presenting a free webinar, Combatting Human Trafficking Through Collaboration, on Feb. 21, 2018 from 2:00-3:30 EST.

The webinar will address "types of legal services survivors of human trafficking need; how to identify when civil or criminal clients may be victims of trafficking; successful models for collaborating with law enforcement while maintaining a victim-centered approach; and opportunities for working with the Civil Rights Division to fight against human trafficking."

For more information or to register, click here.

Schuyler County hosts Rabies Clinic February 6

Watkins Glen—Schuyler County officials will be hosting a rabies clinic on February 6 at the Shared Services Building, 910 S. Decatur Street, Watkins Glen, New York. The clinic will run from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the evening.

Vaccination is free of charge, but donations are appreciated.

Rabies is a serious virus of all mammals with no known cure. It causes neurological degeneration that ultimately leads to the death of the infected person or animal. Luckily, Rabies can be prevented with vaccination, and New York State requires by law the compulsory vaccination of all domestic dogs, cats and ferrets for the safety of the public. Compliance with Rabies Vaccination Laws is monitored by the New York State Department Of Health.

For more information, click here.

New York Public Employees Will Be Entitled to Paid Leave for Cancer Screenings

New York State has amended Civil Service Law to entitle most public sector employees to take up to four hours of paid leave per year to be screened for all types of cancers.

Currently, the law allowed paid leave only for screenings for breast cancer and prostate cancer. The new law provides for these screenings without deducting any leave time (e.g., sick, personal, or vacation) from the employee.

The new law is effective March 18, 2018. For more on the legislation, click here.

Intellectual Disabilities and Family Court Representation Webinar

The National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities is sponsoring a free webinar for attorneys who represent parents with intellectual disabilities in family court proceedings on Wednesday, February 21 from 2:00-3:00 pm.

Issues to be addressed include the application of disability law in the child welfare system and strategies for best representing those parents.

For more information about the webinar and how to register, please click here.

Seneca County: Town of Ovid, Notice of Public Hearing

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Time Warner Cable Northeast LLC, locally known as Charter Communications
Franchise Renewal for Town of Ovid, New York

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Town of Ovid will hold a Public Hearing on February 14, 2018 at 7:00 pm at the Town Offices/Ovid Fire House, 2163 Brown Street, Ovid, New York, regarding renewal of the cable television franchise agreement by and between the Town of Ovid and Time Warner Cable Northeast LLC, locally known as Charter Communications.

A copy of the agreement is available for public inspection during normal business hours at the Town Clerk’s Office, 7099 Orchard Street, Ovid, New York.

At such public hearing, all persons will be given an opportunity to be heard. Written and oral statements will be taken at that time. Time limitations may be imposed for each oral statement if necessary.

Dated January 10, 2018

By Order of the Town Board, Town of Ovid
James E. Vangalio, Town Clerk
Steven Getman, Town Attorney
Town of Ovid

Schuyler County Medicare Informational Session January 27

Are you turning 65 in 2018? Turning 65 but you're still working?

Retiring and not sure what you need for insurance?

Come and ask your questions at the Schuyler County Medicare Information Session.

This will be an informal question and answer session in regards to Medicare.

The session will be held Saturday, January 27, from 10:00 am to Noon at the Silver Spoon Cafe, 323 Owego Street, Montour Falls, New York.

RSVP is required. You can register for this event by calling (607) 535-7108.

For more information, click here.

Schuyler County Organizational Meeting

Members of the Schuyler County Legislature and other officials gathered for a group photo at the Legislature's annual Organizational Meeting held Wednesday morning, Jan. 3 in the County Office Building. From left standing: Legislators Jim Howell, Carl Blowers, David Reed, Michael Lausell, Mark Rondinaro, Van Harp, Phil Barnes and Dennis Fagan. Seated from left: County Attorney Steven Getman, Deputy Clerk Jamee Mack, Clerk to the Legislature Stacy Husted, and County Administrator Tim O'Hearn

NY ABLE program helps persons with disabilities cover costs

Local residents may be eligible to sign up for a new savings plan, called the New York Achieving a Better Life Experience (NY ABLE) program, designed to help individuals with disabilities maintain their health, independence and quality of life.

The NY ABLE legislation was signed into law in December 2015. It allows New Yorkers with disabilities to save money in their own names without risking their Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid and certain other means-based benefits. NY ABLE accounts, also known as 529A accounts, can be opened with a minimum contribution of $25. Contributions can be made by eligible individuals, family members or friends, but are not tax-deductible. The annual contribution is capped at $14,000 and the maximum account balance is $100,000.

The annual contribution cap will be increased to $15,000 as of January 2018. Earnings and distributions are tax free provided the funds are used for qualified disability expenses. To be eligible, an individual must have a disability that was present before age 26. Participants must be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), be blind, have a significant disability documented by a physician, or have a disability that is included on the Social Security Administration's Compassionate Allowances Conditions list. New York residency is required and only one account per individual is permitted.

For more information on eligibility, or to set up an account, click here.

New laws set to take effect in 2018

New York Daily News:

•  As 2017 approaches a close, people are jotting down their resolutions, but 2018 will bring more than just promises to do better in the coming year. 

 Here are just a few state laws slated to take effect when the clock hits midnight on Jan. 1.