Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick

Provides that where safety equipment or devices have been made available, and an employee has failed to follow safety instruction or safe work practices in accordance with training provided, or failed to utilize provided safety equipment or devices, or engaged in a criminal act or was impaired by the use of drugs or alcohol, and such failure, act or impairment is a proximate cause of an injury to such person, the conduct attributable to such person shall not bar recovery, but the amount of damages otherwise recoverable shall be determined in accordance with contributory negligence provisions.

Establishes a co-navigation services program for persons who are deaf-blind to provide services to a person who is deaf-blind that assist the person to physically access the person's environment and to make informed decisions, including providing visual and environmental information or sighted guide services and assisting with communication accessibility by communicating in the preferred language and communication mode of the person who is deaf-blind.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New York Ireland Trade Commission within the Department of State to strengthen economic ties between New York and Ireland. The commission, composed of 15 members (including Senate/Assembly appointees and governor-appointed members with specific representation from Irish American communities, higher education, and business), will focus on advancing bilateral trade, investment, and academic exchanges. It requires the commission to report annually to the governor and legislature with findings and recommendations, but does not create new taxes, regulations, or direct financial obligations. The bill is procedural in nature, creating a body to facilitate existing trade relationships rather than implementing new policy.

Authorizes the town of Smithtown, in the county of Suffolk, to make ordinances prohibiting the discharge of longbows and crossbows in areas in which such activity may be hazardous to the general public or nearby residents.

Prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for confronting an individual to prevent a theft or the unlawful taking of goods, wares, or merchandise; does not prohibit employers from training or re-training employees on policies against confrontation of theft.

Provides for the revocation of a person's driver's license who has been convicted of operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Authorizes a building construction, demolition and repair work insurance tax credit for certain qualifying insurance premium payments for personal injury liability insurance and property damage liability insurance.

Relates to being a good samaritan; adds "reasonable intervention" as a reason to be protected from liability; provides that a person may use physical force when and to the extent that such person reasonably believes that reasonable intervention is necessary to maintain order, but may use deadly physical force only when such person reasonably believes that reasonable intervention is necessary to prevent death or serious physical injury; appropriates $500,000 for public service announcements and community-based training programs aimed at educating people about the legal protections and responsibilities of being a good samaritan.

Amends provisions involving the arrest, prosecution, sentencing and penalties for offenses involving vehicular assault, manslaughter and homicide; removes certain barriers to prosecution for operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Provides that no school district shall be eligible to receive the full apportionment of state aid to which it is entitled if evidence is found by the state comptroller when an audit is conducted and such audit finds that a district has inappropriate excess of their unexpended surplus funds and such school district did not reduce the school tax levy in a proportion equal to the excess of four percent of the current year school budget.