Provides that either party to a workers compensation claim can request a hearing; requires a record of all hearings held.
Adds red cross vehicles to the definition of authorized emergency vehicles.
Requires certain health insurance issuers to certify that at least a majority of prescription drug rebates are provided to patients at the point of sale.
Increases the handling fee paid to dealers or operators of a redemption center for the redemption of empty beverage containers.
Enacts the "Empowering People in Rights Enforcement (EMPIRE) Worker Protection Act"; relates to the delegation of state enforcement authority to private actors; authorizes an affected employee, whistleblower, representative organization or an organizational deputy to initiate a public enforcement action on behalf of the commissioner for certain provisions of the labor law, or any regulation promulgated thereunder.
Prohibits the use of credit history checks to ascertain the payment status of a student loan of an applicant for employment for the purposes of making hiring decisions except where otherwise mandated by law.
Establishes a public awareness campaign for maternal depression; makes an appropriation therefor.
Enacts the "New York state nurse employment, enhancement and dignity act" to provide hazard pay to nurses during a state disaster emergency, an annual tax credit for nurses, a student loan forgiveness program for nurses, and preferential school admission for nurses.
Establishes application processing and review requirements for reprieves, commutations and pardons by the governor; requires the governor to provide: a written notification that the application has been received; a receipt number that the applicant can then use to check on his or her application status; guidelines for supplementing the application with additional or updated information; and a notification when a decision is made on the application; requires quarterly reports to the legislature regarding reprieves, commutations and pardons.
Directs the department of financial services to conduct a comprehensive study on how the department of financial services may create a compensation system commensurate with the compensation systems of similar federal financial regulators and to issue a report of its findings.
