S349

The New York State Senate passed S349, sponsored by Sen. Skoufis, which amends the Public Officers Law. The bill received 58 affirmative votes with no recorded opposition in a roll call vote. The measure will take effect 90 days after becoming law. No debate was recorded during floor consideration.

The New York State Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would expand Freedom of Information Law requirements to quasi-governmental entities created by state and local agencies. Senate Print 349, sponsored by Sen. Skoufis, passed on a 57-0 roll call vote. The bill requires FOIL compliance for entities governed by boards where a majority of members are designated by government officials. Skoufis cited examples of entities avoiding transparency requirements, including the Health Research, Inc., which receives approximately one-fifth of the Department of Health's budget without FOIL compliance, and local development corporations across the state that facilitate millions in taxpayer funds. He also referenced historical cases involving SUNY Polytechnic Institute and an Orange County LDC that was used to circumvent FOIL during a nursing home sale. Sen. Walczyk, who supported the measure, noted the Senate has passed similar legislation multiple times over the past four years but questioned why the Assembly has not taken it up, suggesting some Assembly members may oppose it to preserve local governments' access to these workaround entities. Skoufis acknowledged the concern and welcomed bipartisan efforts to advance the bill in the Assembly. The bill takes effect 90 days after becoming law.

The New York State Senate passed legislation Tuesday eliminating the criminal statute of limitations for sex trafficking and extending the civil statute of limitations for survivors to file lawsuits. Senate Bill 349, sponsored by Sen. Liz Cleare, passed on a 58-0 vote. The bill aims to empower district attorneys across the state to prosecute human trafficking cases more effectively and ensure survivors can seek justice without time constraints. "There is no time limit to the trauma and the scars suffered," Cleare said during floor debate. Supporters emphasized that New York has one of the highest human trafficking rates in the nation, with victims disproportionately young women of color. Sen. Liz Krueger recalled the state's earlier criminalization of human trafficking and noted that women and children continue to be "literally stolen from our streets" and forced into sexual exploitation. Sen. John Rhoads supported the bill but expressed concern that it missed an opportunity to protect victims by limiting judicial discretion to consider the dangerousness of accused traffickers when setting bail. Senators also highlighted trafficking's impact on rural communities, with Sen. Daphne Helming noting the need for additional state resources for victim housing and support services.