Sen. James Sanders

Requires certain safety standards for emergency shelter for victims and alleged victims of domestic violence during a declaration of a state disaster emergency for a disease outbreak; requires accommodations in a hotel or motel where a residential facility does not meet safety standards; requires full cost to be assumed by the state.

Sets reimbursement rates for essential safety net hospitals at no less than regional average commercial rates for health care services provided by all hospitals in the same geographic region.

Allows for investment advisers and firms to disclose potential financial exploitation of elderly and vulnerable adults to the commissioner of the department of financial services and to halt disbursements from an account if an adviser or firm believes that financial exploitation is occurring.

Enacts the climate and community investment act; prioritizes the allocation of public investments in disadvantaged communities; addresses climate change challenges through the expansion and growth of clean and renewable energy sources; adopts best value requirements for the solicitation, evaluation and award of renewable energy projects; establishes a community just transition program; establishes a climate pollution fee and a household and small business energy rebate; creates the climate and community investment authority.

Makes an appropriation to reimburse St. John's Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway for costs incurred as a result of remaining open and providing services to the community during and after Hurricane Sandy.

Prohibits the diminution of health insurance benefits of public employee retirees and their dependents or reducing the employer's contributions for such insurance; defines employers to include the state, municipalities, school districts, and public authorities and commissions.

Withholds the governor's salary until the legislative passage of the budget occurs; provides such salary should be withheld if the budget has not passed prior to the first day of the fiscal year and shall not be paid until such passage occurs.

Relates to the expiration of right to collect consumer credit debt; includes any attempts made by the creditor, third-party purchaser or other authorized third party to collect such debt.

Repeals the rebates for stock transfer tax paid; dedicates funds of the stock transfer tax fund and stock transfer incentive fund to various funds; establishes the safe water and infrastructure action program.

Establishes the "education equity act" which provides language assistance to parents or guardians who have children enrolled in public school and whose primary language is not English; defines terms; creates an annual language assistance plan to assess language needs in the district; requires the department of education to establish web pages detailing the rights of parents to translation services in each covered language; requires annual reports by each school district to the local board of education.