New Law to Provide Breast Cancer Patients With More Information

NEW YORK—Hospitals will be required to inform breast cancer patients about all of their options regarding reconstructive surgery starting January 1, 2011, on account of the new law passed earlier this year.

While insurance companies already cover reconstructive surgery under the current state and federal law, the new legislation will ensure that women undergoing mastectomy, lymph node dissection, or lumpectomy are given the necessary information regarding their breast reconstructive surgery options.

State Senate President Malcolm A. Smith said the law is designed to limit disparity by providing education.

“This law guarantees that when a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, she will be given more information that clearly explains her rights to coverage and her options as they relate to reconstruction,” said Smith in a statement.

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Online dating, bedbugs addressed in new laws in New York

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York's newest laws are meant to make Internet dating safer, further protect victims and witnesses in domestic abuse cases, and require landlords in New York City to come clean about bedbugs when leasing apartments.

Among 26 vetoes, Gov. David Paterson again sank a proposal to create a commission that would promote commemorations of the often forgotten, but critical, War of 1812 vs. Great Britain on its 200th anniversary.

In a legislative session in which the state budget was adopted 4 months late during a historic fiscal crisis and politics often trumped policy, the Internet dating safety act would require that companies warn customers of the dangers of meeting strangers.

The tips include always letting someone else know if you’re going to meet someone new, always providing your own transportation and making sure to meet in a public place.

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New Law Cracks Down On Drunk Drivers

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. --  A new law in New York that took effect on Sunday might keep repeated drunken drivers off the roads.

A small device is expected to make a big impression on convicted drunken drivers under a provision of Leandra's Law, which requires any driver convicted of DUI to have an ignition interlock device installed on any car they drive.

"There is an additional impact upon them should they drink and drive and be convicted of that," said Clinton County District Attorney Andrew Wylie.

What's more, Andrew Wylie said the devices cost nearly $1,000 each.

"The operator -- the defendant who is charged with and convicted of the driving while intoxicated charge -- is paying for it," he added.

The device is similar to a Breathalyzer device. The driver has to blow into it, and if there is a reading of .025 or higher, the car will not start.

Big Apple Audio in Plattsburgh is one of several businesses contracted to install the ignition interlock devices, and the owner, Bill Ferris, said the devices will also require a random hourly "breath sample" while the vehicle is being operated.

"The random sample keeps everybody honest," Bill Ferris said. "You never know when you are going to have to provide a sample."

The Clinton County Department of Probation said it intends to closely monitor the results.

"We will get notified either via e-mail or through the Internet of violations and how they’re doing on the system," said David Marcoux, with the department.

The devices must be installed for at least 6 months; although, those convicted of a felony drunken driving charge may be required to have the devices in their cars for up to 5 years.