Hugh T. Farley's News items

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I - Schenectady) recently co-sponsored legislation that would help protect children from cruel and repeated abuse.

"In response to the murder cases of Caylee Anthony and 8-year-old Brooklyn resident Leiby Kletzky, I have received over a thousand emails from constituents asking for laws that ensure that children are protected and perpetrators are punished," Senator Farley said.

The bill that Senator Farley co-sponsored in the New York State Senate, also called "Protect Our Children Act" (S.5862), would create the new crime of aggravated murder of a child with a sentence of life without parole.

As Americans celebrate Independence Day, State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R,C - Schenectady) reflects on the birth of this nation and New York State's role in the development of our nation.

Independence Day is the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

"As one of the original 13 states, New York played a key role in helping construct the freedoms and rights we all appreciate as Americans," Senator Farley said.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I - Schenectady) announced that he and his colleagues in the New York State Senate passed legislation on June 20th that would allow private air ambulance services to offer membership subscriptions to private air ambulance services. This proposal would help ensure the continuation of air ambulance services in rural areas of New York State.

The low call volume and the expense of running a full-time air ambulance service, has made it difficult to attract companies to New York's rural regions. Allowing air ambulance companies to solicit membership subscriptions would mediate the high cost of doing business in New York.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I - Schenectady) announced that he and his colleagues in the State Senate approved legislation (S.3184) on June 20th to ensure appropriate due process protections for providers and recipients of Medicaid who come under the scrutiny of the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG).

The legislation adds to the law which created the OMIG in 2007, to assure fairness and procedural clarity when audits are conducted.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I - Schenectady) announced that he and his colleagues in the New York State Senate passed legislation June to allow towns throughout New York State to establish their own speed limits.

Currently, towns are required to seek permission from the New York State Department of Transportation to change a speed limit, a sometimes long and arduous process. However, villages, towns with populations greater than 50,000 residents, suburban class towns and all cities are not required to seek the same approval.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I - Schenectady) announced that he and his colleagues in the New York State Senate passed a bill (S.5560) on June 16th that significantly expands the ability of law enforcement to solve crimes by requiring those convicted of all felonies and misdemeanors to submit DNA samples.

The bill would greatly enhance the DNA database to protect communities by keeping more criminals off the streets, while also reducing the financial costs and victims’ emotional strain by solving more crimes in an expeditious manner.