Regular Session - May 5, 2004
2236
NEW YORK STATE SENATE
THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
ALBANY, NEW YORK
May 5, 2004
11:11 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION
LT. GOVERNOR MARY O. DONOHUE, President
STEVEN M. BOGGESS, Secretary
2237
P R O C E E D I N G S
THE PRESIDENT: The Senate will
please come to order.
I ask everyone present to please
rise and repeat with me the Pledge of
Allegiance.
(Whereupon, the assemblage recited
the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
THE PRESIDENT: In the absence of
clergy, may we bow our heads in a moment of
silence, please.
(Whereupon, the assemblage
respected a moment of silence.)
THE PRESIDENT: Reading of the
Journal.
THE SECRETARY: In Senate,
Tuesday, May 4, the Senate met pursuant to
adjournment. The Journal of Monday, May 3,
was read and approved. On motion, Senate
adjourned.
THE PRESIDENT: Without
objection, the Journal stands approved as
read.
Presentation of petitions.
Messages from the Assembly.
2238
Messages from the Governor.
Reports of standing committees.
Reports of select committees.
Communications and reports from
state officers.
Motions and resolutions.
Senator Wright.
SENATOR WRIGHT: Thank you, Madam
President.
THE PRESIDENT: You're welcome.
SENATOR WRIGHT: I wish to call
up -- on behalf of myself, I wish to call up
my bill, Print Number 6386B, recalled from the
Assembly, which is now at the desk.
THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary
will read.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
585, by Senator Wright, Senate Print 6386B, an
act in relation to creating.
SENATOR WRIGHT: I now move to
reconsider the vote by which this bill was
passed.
THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary
will call the roll upon reconsideration.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
2239
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 38.
THE PRESIDENT: Senator Wright.
SENATOR WRIGHT: I now offer the
following amendments.
THE PRESIDENT: The amendments
are received.
Senator Wright.
SENATOR WRIGHT: On behalf of
Senator Volker, I move to recommit Senate
Print Number 6982, Calendar Number 1019 on
order of first report, to the Committee on
Education, with instructions to strike the
enacting clause.
THE PRESIDENT: So ordered.
SENATOR WRIGHT: Thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: You're welcome.
Senator Fuschillo.
SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Madam
President, are there any substitutions at the
desk?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, there are,
Senator.
SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Please read.
THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary
will read.
2240
THE SECRETARY: On page 4,
Senator Spano moves to discharge, from the
Committee on Labor, Assembly Bill Number 8180A
and substitute it for the identical Senate
Bill Number 3766A, First Report Calendar 965.
On page 7, Senator Velella moves to
discharge, from the Committee on
Transportation, Assembly Bill Number 9265 and
substitute it for the identical Senate Bill
Number 5852, First Report Calendar 995.
On page 8, Senator Farley moves to
discharge, from the Committee on
Transportation, Assembly Bill Number 9705A and
substitute it for the identical Senate Bill
Number 6835, First Report Calendar 1002.
On page 8, Senator Morahan moves to
discharge, from the Committee on Veterans,
Homeland Security and Military Affairs,
Assembly Bill Number 5038 and substitute it
for the identical Senate Bill Number 3047,
First Report Calendar 1005.
On page 9, Senator Kuhl moves to
discharge, from the Committee on Commerce,
Economic Development and Small Business,
Assembly Bill Number 9834 and substitute it
2241
for the identical Senate Bill Number 6239,
First Report Calendar 1012.
On page 9, Senator Farley moves to
discharge, from the Committee on Education,
Assembly Bill Number 9706 and substitute it
for the identical Senate Bill Number 6861,
First Report Calendar 1018.
And on page 11, Senator Hoffmann
moves to discharge, from the Committee on
Local Government, Assembly Bill Number 894 and
substitute it for the identical Senate Bill
Number 183, First Report Calendar 1032.
THE PRESIDENT: Substitutions
ordered.
Senator Fuschillo.
SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Madam
President, there are three resolutions at the
desk by Senator Velella. May we please have
the titles read and move for their immediate
adoption.
THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary
will read.
THE SECRETARY: By Senator
Velella, Legislative Resolution Number 4818,
honoring Charles G. Moerdler upon the occasion
2242
of his designation as the recipient of
Manhattanville College's "Castle Award."
By Senator Velella, Legislative
Resolution Number 4819, honoring Benjamin Chu,
M.D., MPH, upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the "Joan McHugh
Lifetime Achievement Award" from the United
Odd Fellow & Rebekah Nursing Home, on May 13,
2004.
And by Senator Velella, Legislative
Resolution Number 4820, commending the United
Odd Fellow & Rebekah Nursing Home for its long
history of enriching the lives of seniors and
children, on May 13, 2004.
THE PRESIDENT: All in favor of
the resolutions please signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
THE PRESIDENT: Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
THE PRESIDENT: The resolutions
are adopted.
Senator Fuschillo.
SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Madam
President, there are two resolutions at the
desk by Senator Skelos. May we please have
2243
the titles read and move for their immediate
adoption.
THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary
will read.
THE SECRETARY: By Senator
Skelos, Legislative Resolution Number 4821,
honoring Detective William A. Lanoue upon the
occasion of his retirement after 30 years of
distinguished service to the Nassau County
Police Department.
And by Senator Skelos, Legislative
Resolution Number 4822, honoring Detective
William Woolsey upon the occasion of his
retirement from the Nassau County Police
Department after more than 30 years of
distinguished service.
THE PRESIDENT: All in favor of
the resolutions please signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
THE PRESIDENT: Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
THE PRESIDENT: The resolutions
are adopted.
Senator Fuschillo.
SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Madam
2244
President, may we please have the reading of
the noncontroversial calendar.
THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary
will read.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
238, by Senator Little, Senate Print 4982, an
act to amend the General Municipal Law and
others, in relation to interest rate on
judgments.
THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 6. This
act shall take effect immediately.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 43.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
477, by Senator Fuschillo, Senate Print 4988A,
an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law,
in relation to adding aggravated vehicular
assault.
THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
section.
2245
THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
act shall take effect on the same date and in
the same manner as a chapter of the Laws of
2004.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 43.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
533, by Member of the Assembly Schimminger,
Assembly Print Number 10037 --
SENATOR SABINI: Lay it aside.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is laid
aside.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
692, by Senator Leibell, Senate Print 6601, an
act in relation to creating the North Salem
Library --
SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Lay it aside
for the day.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is laid
aside for the day.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
747, by Senator Kuhl, Senate Print 4912, an
2246
act to amend the Transportation Law, in
relation to the regulation of the
transportation of property.
THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 20. This
act shall take effect immediately.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 43.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
760, by Senator Saland, Senate Print 6654, an
act to amend the Highway Law, in relation to
designating a portion of the state highway
system.
THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
act shall take effect immediately.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 43.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
2247
passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
778, by Senator Farley, Senate Print 6771, an
act to amend the Real Property Tax Law, in
relation to providing a tax exemption.
THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
act shall take effect on the first of January.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 46.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
779, by the Assembly Committee on Rules,
Assembly Print Number 10844, an act to amend
the General Municipal Law, in relation to
financial disclosure.
THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
act shall take effect immediately.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
2248
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 46.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
784, by Senator Skelos, Senate Print 1019, an
act to amend the Correction Law, in relation
to petitions for relief.
THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
act shall take effect immediately.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 48.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
794, by Senator LaValle, Senate Print 334A, an
act to amend the Education Law, in relation to
safety.
THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
act shall take effect on the 90th day.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
2249
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 50.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
819, by Senator Marchi, Senate Print 6595, an
act to amend the Lien Law, in relation to
necessary parties.
THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
act shall take effect immediately.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 51.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
847, by Senator Larkin, Senate Print 1225A, an
act to amend the Civil Practice Law and Rules,
in relation to authorizing.
THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
act shall take effect immediately.
2250
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 51.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
852, by Senator Golden, Senate Print 3972A, an
act to amend the Penal Law, in relation to
financial exploitation of the elderly.
THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
act shall take effect on the first of
November.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 51.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
883, by Senator Marcellino, Senate Print 5077,
an act to amend the Environmental Conservation
Law, in relation to environmental protection.
THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
section.
2251
THE SECRETARY: Section 5. This
act shall take effect immediately.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 51.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
903, by Senator Rath, Senate Print 6631, an
act to amend the County Law and the Town Law,
in relation to simplifying various local
government practices.
THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
act shall take effect immediately.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 51.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
905, by Senator Volker, Senate Print 6716, an
act to amend the Town Law and the Public
Officers Law, in relation to the duty of
2252
public officers.
THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
act shall take effect immediately.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 52.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
920, by Senator Meier, Senate Print 6437, an
act to amend the Social Services Law, in
relation to consolidating.
THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
act shall take effect immediately.
THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 52.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
1010, by the Senate Committee on Rules, Senate
2253
Print Number 5646A --
SENATOR SCHNEIDERMAN: Lay it
aside.
THE PRESIDENT: The bill is laid
aside.
Senator Bruno, that completes the
noncontroversial reading of the calendar.
SENATOR BRUNO: Madam President,
could we at this time recognize Senator
DeFrancisco.
THE PRESIDENT: Senator
DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: I would
request unanimous consent to vote in the
negative on Calendar 238, Senate Print 4982,
please.
THE PRESIDENT: Hearing no
objection, you will be so recorded as voting
in the negative.
Senator Duane.
SENATOR DUANE: Thank you, Madam
President. If I could have unanimous consent
to be recorded in the negative on Calendar
Numbers 238 and 784.
THE PRESIDENT: Hearing no
2254
objection, you will be so recorded as voting
in the negative.
Senator Bruno.
SENATOR BRUNO: Madam President,
can we at this time take up the controversial
calendar, starting with Calendar Number 1010.
THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary
will read.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
1010, by the Senate Committee on Rules, Senate
Print Number 5646A, an act to amend the Public
Health Law and others, in relation to the
development of comprehensive care centers.
SENATOR SCHNEIDERMAN:
Explanation.
THE PRESIDENT: Senator Bruno, an
explanation has been requested.
SENATOR BRUNO: Thank you, Madam
President and colleagues.
The bill on the floor relates to an
approach to eating disorders for people here
in this state. It is a very comprehensive
approach to helping providers pay for the
insurance for people who are diagnosed with a
serious eating disorder like anorexia,
2255
bulimia, binge eating.
And it also creates three pilot
programs here in this state where existing
facilities or other facilities will petition
with a recommendation on how they can provide
comprehensive treatment for people with eating
disorders.
Now, we in New York State,
tragically, are lagging behind other states in
dealing with the literally tens of millions of
people who have eating disorders. Now, it's
estimated that approximately 10 million young
people have serious afflictions. A lot of
people won't admit that they have an eating
disorder in a serious way.
Now, the question gets to be is it
mental, it is physical, it is medical. The
fact of the matter is it is all of those
things. It's emotional, mental, physical,
medical.
Karen Carpenter died at an early
age, one of the most talented ladies in this
country. Why? Not because she wanted to die.
But she had a serious eating disorder, and
there was nothing that could be done. And
2256
when people deprive themselves, their body
cannibalizes other organs. And one of the
first things that happens is the heart gets
attacked, as in her case. She literally had a
heart attack because she was so
malnutritioned. And then some of them will
binge-eat, and their system can't handle it.
Now, we have in the chamber people
who are courageous enough to step out, to be
supportive of this legislation. We passed it
last June; we're going to pass it again. We
changed it some so that we hope the Assembly
can take a closer look at the ramifications of
it this year.
We know they're supportive. I've
talked to the Speaker about it. Conceptually,
they have some relationship to Timothy's Law.
And some aspects of this are handled in
Timothy's Law. But we need to do both, and we
will get both done. But what Timothy's Law
doesn't do is create a comprehensive treatment
in a pilot program.
What's tragic -- and I want to just
mention some of the organizations and people
that are here with us. What's tragic is you
2257
have a family member, somebody close -- you
yourself -- who has a serious disorder, you go
to professionals, they will send you to
Philadelphia, Princeton, New Jersey, Arizona,
Connecticut. No one will recommend that your
loved one or you go to a facility in New York.
Why? Because they don't have the
comprehensive treatment, and they're not able
to relate as some of the other states have
done with their providers.
So New York is going to catch up,
create this program and surpass other states.
We have people here -- a practicing
lawyer, Yvonne, who has a serious problem.
She has to leave the state to get treatment.
Leave her family, leave her support system.
There are people who go to Arizona,
can't afford for the family to go there. The
program calls for a family to go out there
several times to be part of the treatment.
How many people can do that? It is tragic,
and it is time for us to take action.
I want to thank HEED -- Help End
Eating Disorders -- representatives that are
here, NEDA, the National Eating Disorders
2258
Association, New York Health Plan Association,
all giving us input over the last couple of
years. Albany Medical Center, Four Winds
Hospital near here in Saratoga, educators.
There are students from Skidmore
College that are here, generally, just to be
supportive, because they know how serious this
is with young people and people generally and
how life-threatening this can be.
And there is nothing sadder than to
watch someone literally dying -- I talked to a
mother who watched her 19-year-old daughter
die and could not do anything to affect her,
to implore her to survive. Now, not all
people are suicidal, but too many of them are.
And when they're forced to eat and they're
tube-fed, they try and kill themselves because
they can't live with themselves.
Jenny Lauren, who is the niece of
Ralph Lauren -- her dad is in the Ralph Lauren
line in Polo clothes, heads that up -- Jenny
is here with us. Jenny wrote this book,
Homesick, that I would recommend to anyone.
It is, by her own words, tough, very, very
direct. Jenny is here now on her feet. She
2259
has eating disorders. She has been treated.
She's courageous enough to stand up and talk
about it. She is still under treatment from
her body having been dysfunctional as a result
of malnutrition, and was operated on, her life
has been threatened. And she is a survivor.
So, Jenny, we want to thank you for
joining us. And the others that are here --
Yvonne -- for just sharing and caring enough
to help others who have a very, very serious
problem, and a problem that we're going to do
something about and not just watch it continue
to go on.
So I want to thank you, my
colleagues here, for your support, and thank
you, Madam President.
THE PRESIDENT: Senator
Schneiderman.
SENATOR SCHNEIDERMAN: Thank you,
Madam President. On the bill.
THE PRESIDENT: You may proceed
on the bill.
SENATOR SCHNEIDERMAN: This is a
bill that we've all supported in the past, or
a slightly varied form of this legislation.
2260
And I think that, as is the case with many
areas of medicine and areas of psychological
trouble, our cultural awareness of this has
evolved. And years ago, this was not
something that was particularly recognized as
the serious, serious health threat that it is.
Sometimes it requires leadership,
and it is great that our house and our leader
is showing leadership on this issue. It is
clearly an area that any of us who had have
friends or family members who have had eating
disorders understands this is an extraordinary
serious medical problem.
I think that the idea of us getting
involved with treatment centers is very
positive. We all support this effort.
I think that the only other comment
that I would like to make about this is in
line with what Senator Bruno just said, that
there is a relationship between this and
Timothy's Law. And I think many of you know
that today would have been Timothy O'Clair's
16th birthday. And there are a lot of
advocates here on that issue.
And if I heard correctly, I think
2261
the Senator just said we're going to do that
as well this year. And if we would move
forward to a conference committee, if we would
move forward to negotiations with the
Assembly, we would all support that. And
that, I think, would be a tremendous legacy
for this year's legislative session.
Just as eating disorders are
serious problems and we have to provide
treatment for people, we have to provide
access, as this legislation contemplates,
depression, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders
are equally life-threatening. We should not
end this session without addressing those
issues as well, and we will certainly, I
think, do everything we can do to be
supportive in the effort to advance that
cause.
Let's take a piece of
legislation -- and I'm now referring to
Timothy's Law, which I think has probably
virtually every member of this house as a
sponsor of one form or another of it -- and
let's get this done. I commend Senator Bruno
for this leadership on the eating disorder
2262
issue. Let's expand it to other forms of
mental difficulty, mental illness. Let's get
this done this year. And I'm sure this
legislation will pass overwhelmingly. And
when Timothy's Law comes to the floor, I'm
sure that will pass overwhelmingly as well.
THE PRESIDENT: Senator
DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: I rise to
commend Senator Bruno for his leadership in
this area. I don't think anyone has any
conception of what this disease is unless you
know someone very close to you that is
afflicted by it.
In Syracuse we have a leader, Mary
Ellen Clausen, who started an organization
called Ophelia's Place. She's a mother who
has two daughters afflicted with this disease.
One seems to be doing well; one's a little
rocky.
On her own, she started meeting
with people to try to establish some place
that people could go in our community in
Central New York in order to find out more
about the disease, how it can be treated, what
2263
you do when it happens to you or a loved one.
And by the strength of her
convictions, there now is, in Syracuse,
New York, in my district, Ophelia's Place, a
house that she was able to acquire, make it
into a small center for anyone that needs
information or people that need support to be
there.
However, the key isn't just
information. The second part is treatment.
And if you have to send someone out of the
state to have treatment, that is not good.
And this component is so very, very important
that a coordinated treatment will be available
in the state of New York.
Now not only will Ophelia's Place
be able to help people determine what's
available, but hopefully very soon treatment
centers here in the state of New York will be
available for them as well.
Thank you, Senator Bruno.
ACTING PRESIDENT FUSCHILLO:
Senator Paterson.
SENATOR PATERSON: Thank you,
Mr. President.
2264
I'd like to welcome Jenny Lauren
here, and the Lauren family, who have so many
times given of themselves to help others. In
my district, they have kept, really sometimes
by their own effort, a hospital, North General
Hospital, in East Harlem, open.
And once again, here today, what
they've done for the serious eating disorder
issues that make people's lives so much more
challenging than life already is.
And once again, Senator Bruno has
seized the moment, as he has done so many
times, and expedited something that really
needs to be addressed and really needs to be
understood. So it's an issue of education as
much as it is health care.
So just my heartiest
congratulations to the Majority Leader on
behalf of the Majority Conference who brought
this to the floor today. And we're very
pleased to be asked to be a part of it. Thank
you.
ACTING PRESIDENT FUSCHILLO:
Senator Hoffmann.
SENATOR HOFFMANN: Thank you, Mr.
2265
President.
Thank you, Senator Bruno, once
again, for your leadership in an important
issue which has been so often misunderstood
and regarded as more of a personal problem or
a social concern and not correctly identified
as a true medical issue.
Like so many other maladies that
affect women, primarily, in this country, this
one has been not given the attention that it
deserved, either by the medical community or
by the insurance world. And for us to now
bring it out in the open in such a very public
way will do more than just create the
opportunity for insurance protection to be
there, but will also help validate those many
young girls who are going through that
question of their self-image and need to know
that there is a supportive community out there
that will help them get in touch with who they
are and what size they are and what size God
intended them to be.
How sad it is in this society that
there is a size 6 image for size 12 and 14
girls, and that they feel that they must
2266
starve themselves, literally starve themselves
to fit some horribly unreasonable expectation
of who they are. And how sad it is that their
personal happiness is subjected to this body
image that is so utterly unreasonable for the
vast majority of American women and girls.
While we can't address the problem
of how the world portrays women in an
unreasonable light over and over again in the
mass media and in all of the marketing for
products, we can at least be compassionate by
bringing our laws into compliance with a true
medical situation.
I'm very proud that we have this
opportunity today to be heard on this issue,
and I think it's a very critical first step in
helping the young women of this state -- and
their families -- who are suffering from
anorexia, bulimia, or other eating disorders
to get on that track of good health and,
equally important, of self-esteem.
This is a significant move for us
today, and I'm very proud to be a member of
the New York State Senate while we are taking
the leadership in this area.
2267
And I'd like to thank those women
who have come in today to share their stories.
Jenny Lauren, this is a very significant
document that you have prepared, your own
personal treatise to help guide other young
girls along a course that will be very
different from the one that you went down.
And to the other girls and women
who spoke today, and to their families, thank
you for being here with us, for sharing your
stories. We will not forget your courage, and
it will help us to navigate the shoals that
lie ahead as we get the kind of legal and
insurance support that's necessary in this
state to assist you and all of your sisters.
Thank you again.
ACTING PRESIDENT FUSCHILLO:
Senator Montgomery.
SENATOR MONTGOMERY: Yes, thank
you, Mr. President.
I want to join my colleagues in
thanking the Majority Leader, Senator Bruno,
for introducing this and bringing it to the
floor. It certainly is a definitively
important issue as it relates to mental
2268
illness, and especially for young people. And
I always am very, very pleased when we do
something that impacts particularly on the
lives of young people in our state.
I would, however, like to just
point out that President Bush's New Freedom
Commission on Mental Health states that one of
the main obstacles to providing mental health
care in our nation is the fragmented mental
health service delivery system. And certainly
we know that that is true. It is just the
luck of the draw if you have access to
appropriate, adequate, comprehensive mental
health care.
And I would just like to remind my
colleagues that one of the issues that I think
is extremely important for us, particularly as
it relates to delivering comprehensive mental
health, especially on the preventive end and
the crisis-intervention end, would be
school-based health clinics where we provided
comprehensive health and mental health
services to young people in our state in the
most efficient way at the place where most
young people are, and that is in their
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schools. It wouldn't cost a lot of money, and
it would make a tremendous difference for
young people with all sorts of mental and not
extreme disorders. But certainly our young
people have many crises that they experience
that interrupt their lives.
So I am pleased to support this
legislation. However, I must say I am
frustrated that we are not looking at
providing comprehensive mental health care
services in the best possible way and creating
a system that is seamless, that is efficient,
and that indeed truly looks to provide
services to the citizens in our state when and
how they need it.
So, Mr. President, I'm supporting
this. I thank the Majority Leader again. And
I hope that in the same spirit, we look to
bring the comprehension in care that the
Majority Leader has in this legislation.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT FUSCHILLO: Any
other Senator wish to be heard on the bill?
Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 7. This
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act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT FUSCHILLO: Call
the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 60.
ACTING PRESIDENT FUSCHILLO: The
bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
533, by Member of the Assembly Schimminger,
Assembly Print Number 10037, an act to amend
the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT FUSCHILLO: Read
the last section.
THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
act shall take effect on the first of January.
ACTING PRESIDENT FUSCHILLO: Call
the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY: Those recorded in
the negative on Calendar Number 533 are
Senators Little, Robach and Wright. Also
Senator Stachowski. Ayes, 56. Nays, 4.
ACTING PRESIDENT FUSCHILLO: The
bill is passed.
Senator Bruno, that completes the
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controversial reading of the calendar.
SENATOR BRUNO: Is there any
housekeeping at the desk, Mr. President,
presently?
ACTING PRESIDENT FUSCHILLO: No,
there isn't.
SENATOR BRUNO: Mr. President,
there being no further business to come before
the Senate, I would move -- there is more
business to come before the Senate, Mr.
President.
ACTING PRESIDENT FUSCHILLO:
Senator Montgomery, why do you rise?
SENATOR MONTGOMERY: Yes, Mr.
President, thank you. I would like unanimous
consent to be recorded in the negative on
Calendar 784.
ACTING PRESIDENT FUSCHILLO:
Without objection.
SENATOR MONTGOMERY: Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT FUSCHILLO:
Senator DeFrancisco.
SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: I'd like
unanimous consent to be voted in the negative
on Calendar 533, please.
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ACTING PRESIDENT FUSCHILLO:
Without objection.
SENATOR BRUNO: Now, Mr.
President -- one more? Senator Brown.
ACTING PRESIDENT FUSCHILLO:
Senator Brown.
SENATOR BROWN: Thank you,
Senator Bruno.
Mr. President, I request unanimous
consent to be recorded in the negative on
Calendar 533.
ACTING PRESIDENT FUSCHILLO:
Without objection.
SENATOR BROWN: Thank you, sir.
Thank you, sir.
ACTING PRESIDENT FUSCHILLO:
Anybody else?
Senator Bruno.
SENATOR BRUNO: Mr. President,
there being no further business to come before
the Senate, I would move that we stand
adjourned until Monday, May 10th, at
3:00 p.m., intervening days to be legislative
days.
ACTING PRESIDENT FUSCHILLO: On
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motion, the Senate stands adjourned until
Monday, May 10th, at 3:00 p.m., intervening
days being legislative days.
(Whereupon, at 11:45 a.m., the
Senate adjourned.)