Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky

Noted that ground-lease co-ops in her Queens district are not wealthy buildings but middle-class residents struggling to keep co-ops alive. Cited prior legislation helping three co-ops with 99-year leases where shareholders could not sell units due to mortgage restrictions, and stated the bill is constitutional and necessary to protect community members.

The bill codifies prior legislation and is Phase 2 of a two-year phase-in to help struggling graduate students who are paid very little, with the goal of keeping them in New York State.

The bill expands protections for students in grades 7-12 by establishing a pathway to report incidents of hate, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and discrimination. It builds on prior legislation requiring colleges and universities receiving state aid to report hate crimes.

As the bill sponsor, affirmed the importance of allowing survivors to speak out and have a voice in the judicial process.

The bill promotes inclusiveness in college governance and applies existing confidentiality penalties under the Public Officers Law and General Municipal Law. A student nonvoting member already serves on community college boards, and the SUNY Faculty Senate president was recently added to four-year college boards in the same manner.

The bill allows co-ops to renew ground leases at any time before expiration to facilitate mortgage financing. Ground leases typically run 99 years, and lenders require lease terms to extend beyond 30-year mortgage periods. The legislation addresses only timing of renewal, not the terms or costs negotiated in the original lease.

Noted that many insurance companies already provide cold scalp treatment and that the legislation would expand this coverage. She highlighted that the treatment prevents hair loss 80 percent of the time and significantly improves patients' self-esteem and sense of identity during cancer treatment.

Legislators are elected to make decisions constituents cannot make themselves. The Legislature has a responsibility to update laws when necessary, as demonstrated by historical consolidations like the 1898 consolidation of towns and villages into New York City.

Sponsor explained the bill addresses a longstanding matter and is not directed at any current or recent trustees.

The bill simply requires colleges receiving state aid to report hate crimes on websites instead of college catalogs, modernizing how institutions provide this critical information to students and families.

The sponsor explained that the bill addresses a gap in victim rights by allowing victims to testify at sentencing for misdemeanor crimes, not just felonies. She argued that the traumatic experience and need for closure is the same regardless of the crime classification.

Noted the budget provides operating aid for SUNY and CUNY colleges with no tuition increase.

The bill demonstrates commitment to public higher education students; raises important separation of powers questions as the judiciary challenges FDA-approved medications; the medications are safer than Tylenol.

Argued the bill includes substantial safeguards including self-screening questionnaires, mandatory referral to primary care providers within 72 hours, and pharmacist discretion to refuse prescriptions. Emphasized the importance of birth control access following Roe v. Wade's repeal.

Sponsor explained the bill addresses nursing shortage by allowing up to 30 percent simulation-based clinical training using sophisticated equipment. The collaborative effort with education stakeholders over two and a half years demonstrates how working together improves legislation and allows more students to fill nursing program slots.