July 2021 Meeting Highlights:
Animal Abuse Registry – After a decade of pushing for this legislation by the Minority Office, the full legislature unanimously voted to pass a local law that will establish the Rensselaer County Animal Abuse Registry. All offenders convicted of abusing cats and/or dogs will now be forced to register with the county registry. Animal cruelty is a serious and growing problem with thousands of animals abused every year, and it is a fact that people who have abused pets in the past are likely to do it again. Those who abuse dogs and cats are often abusers in other aspects of their lives, and the establishment of this registry is very likely to assist in the prevention of domestic and interpersonal violence.
Safe Disposal of Prescription Opioids – The legislature unanimously voted to pass a local law that will require distributors of prescription opioids to provide their patients with a personal portable pharmaceutical disposal system with each opioid prescription. This is a step in combating the long-running opioid epidemic present in Rensselaer County.
School Bus Photo Monitoring – The legislature unanimously voted to pass a local law that will allow Rensselaer County to install and operate school bus photo monitoring systems in order to impose owner liability on drivers that illegally pass stopped school buses. The safety of our children is a major priority, and we are sure that this law will only improve their safety going to and from school.
Ballistic Vests for Mental Health Dept. – The legislature authorized the purchase of protective ballistic vests for the field workers in the Department of Mental Health, following a similar purchase made in June by the Department of Social Services. This is another huge step in ensuring that our social workers are able to do their jobs safely and therefore effectively.
Lead Poisoning Prevention – The legislature accepted a grant from New York State that extends the Childhood Lead Poisoning Primary Prevention Program for another 18 months. This funding will be used to identify and eradicate lead-based paint hazards in high risk housing.
NEXT MEETING – Tuesday, August 10, 2021 in the Rensselaer County Chambers located on the 3rd floor of the Ned Pattison Government Center, 1600 7th Avenue, Troy.
Residents are welcome to contact our office at 270-2890.
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