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Volume 18 - Issue #12

CP of NYS NewsBackToTop

September 19, 2012

In This Issue
Prescription Drug Abuse Reform Bill Signed Into Law
Additional Paycheck Reduction Law Effective 11/6
Annual Conference Alert
Racker Centers Reaches Goal, Completes Capital Campaign

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PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE REFORM BILL SIGNED INTO LAW 

 

Governor Cuomo signed into law legislation establishing the Internet System for Over-Prescribing (I-STOP) Act to address prescription drug abuse.  This new law is aimed at reducing the prescription drug abuse problem in New York. 

 

The law will require doctors to consult a statewide registry before issuing a prescription for a controlled substance. The registry will include information about dispensed controlled substances reported by pharmacies on a "real time" basis. Other provisions of the bill include a requirement that all prescriptions in New York be electronic by 2015, changes to controlled substance schedules, prescriber and health care professional education about controlled substances and a safe disposal program for prescription drugs. 

 

On a related note, Governor Cuomo announced that the state will place drop boxes for unused prescription drugs at nine New York State Police Troop Headquarters around the state. This program will give New Yorkers a secure place to anonymously dispose of unused prescription medications, medicated ointments, over-the-counter medications, and controlled substances. 

 

-Barbara Crosier

 

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ADDITIONAL PAYCHECK DEDUCTION LAW EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 6 

 

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law legislation (Chapter #451 of 2012) which will expand the ability for employees to authorize their employers to make paycheck deductions.


In addition to the categories of paycheck deductions currently authorized under Section 193 of the state's Labor Law - for insurance premiums, retirement/benefit plan contributions, contributions to charitable organizations, U.S. Savings bond purchases and union dues - employees would also be allowed to authorize deductions for:

 

  • discounted parking and discounted passes & tokens/fare cards/vouchers for mass transit;
  • fitness/health club/gym memberships;
  • employer-provided on-site cafeteria and vending machine purchases;
  • prepaid legal plans;
  • purchases by employees made at events sponsored by charities where 20% or more of profits go to the charity;
  • purchases at on-premises employer pharmacies;
  • tuition, room & board & fees for pre-school through college and day care expenses.

 

The bill also separately allows for deductions for withholdings related to the repayment of pay advances and the recovery of pay overages, both of which will be subject to (and must wait adoption of) new regulations prepared by the State Labor Department. These new regulations will cover the amount and pace of repayments, employee notice requirements, and will require employers to have a dispute resolution process enabling an employee to dispute or delay repayments.

 

-Barbara Crosier

  

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ANNUAL CONFERENCE ALERT

 

Registration is in full swing now for the CP of NYS Annual Conference in Saratoga Springs October 22-24. Register for the Conference online here. If you do not have access to the internet, full registration and fee information can be obtained by calling (518) 436-0178. Registrations are due by October 8. A late fee of $50 applies if regis­trations are received after October 8.

 

Featured speakers include OPWDD Commissioner Courtney Burke, NYS Medicaid Director Jason Helgerson, Assemblymember Micah Kellner, syndicated cartoonist John McPherson and Jesse A. Saperstein, best-selling author and autism advocate. The Conference begins Monday, October 22 at 10:30 a.m. and runs through Wednesday morning. For more information call (518) 436-0178 or visit the Conference section of our website here.

 

Hotel accommodations at the Saratoga Hilton should be made by your Affiliate representative. CP of NYS Affiliate staff should NOT register with the hotel directly. All Affiliate staff MUST register through their Affiliate. If you are not associated with a CP of NYS Affiliate, please call (518) 436-0178 for instructions on making hotel reservations in conjunction with the Conference.

 

For those traveling to Saratoga Springs by train, Amtrak is offering a 10% savings off the lowest available rail fare to Saratoga. This discount will be offered from October 19 to October 27, 2012. To make a reservation or get more information, call Amtrak toll-free at 1-800-872-7245 or contact your local travel agent. Be sure to mention Convention Fare Code X51L-955.

 

 

 

 

RACKER CENTERS REACHES GOAL, COMPLETES CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
 

CP of NYS Affiliate Franziska Racker Centers in Ithaca recently completed a $3.5 million capital campaign. Final numbers for the "Making Room" project total $3,633,687.00.

 

The campaign came to a close earlier this month after four years of fundraising efforts. Nearly 700 donors contributed to the "Making Room" campaign including Leadership gifts received from  BorgWarner Morse TEC, Cargill Deicing Technology, Dave and Peggy Dunlop, Emerson Power Transmission, Margaret I. Gibson, J.M. McDonald Foundation, Tompkins Trust Company, and the Triad Foundation.

 

Project goals included creating a space for the new Jean Dunlavey Learning Center and reconfiguring and renovating the Margaret Gibson preschool building. The Learning Center initiative will serve to train the agency's 700 staff members as well as open training opportunities for community members on best practices to serve people with disabilities. Franziska Racker Centers provides nearly 165,000 services to over 3,000 individuals of all ages annually.

 

A ribbon cutting will be held for the community on Friday, October 12 at 11:00 a.m.  Members of the community are invited to come celebrate the grand opening of the new Learning Center and tour the renovated campus on Wilkins Road in Ithaca. For more information visit www.rackercenters.org/ribbon-cutting or call 272-5891 ext. 285.
 

 

 

SAVE THE DATE
The CP of NYS Annual Conference will be held October 22-24 at the Saratoga Hilton in Saratoga Springs, New York.  Check our website here for details as they become available.