Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

GOVERNOR CUOMO SIGNS LEGISLATION CREATING STRICTER PENALTIES FOR DRIVERS WITH MULTIPLE DWI OFFENSES

Drivers with multiple DWIs in a newly-extended time frame now face a felony charge. The legislation is called Vince’s Law, an amendment to current law that extends the time frame in which multiple DWIs can be considered to automatically invoke a felony.

Named after Vincent Russo, who died after being struck head-on by a driver with multiple DWIs, Vincent’s Law aims to keep repeat offenders off the road. In Mr. Russo’s case, the offending driver had five prior DWI offenses and was not yet incarcerated.

This legislation will raise the penalty levels for offenders who commit three or more DWI-related offenses within 15 years, with a maximum determinate prison sentence of up to 7 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000—where previously such repeat offenses might not have been prosecuted as a felony at all. This law passed both houses of the legislature as S7108 and A8021-A, respectively.

VOLUNTEER FIREMEN RECRUITS MUST SUBMIT TO BACKGROUND CHECK

NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation Aug. 4th that would order volunteer firefighter organizations to require new recruits to submit to a background check for any prior sex offense convictions.  The bill would require prospective volunteer firefighters to authorize a background check for sex offense convictions if the individual wishes to proceed with his or her application. The bill would also allow individual fire companies to determine if the prospective volunteer is eligible to become a volunteer member if a conviction is found.

CARE TO CHILDREN INJURED IN THE MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT TORONTO - Ontario hospitals will offer care to children injured in the Middle East conflict — whether Palestinian or Israeli, Health Minister Dr. Eric Hoskins says.

The provincial government has received a formal request to provide aid to injured children from Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, who has launched Heal100Kids to bring 100 children from Gaza to Ontario.

Several major hospitals have indicated that they are ready to help out — Hamilton Health Sciences, Kingston General, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa, Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children, and London Health Sciences Centre. “Consistent with our vision of healthier children, a better world, Sick Kids has a long and proud history of providing highly specialized care to eligible children from around the globe. We believe every child deserves access to high-quality health care, including those who are injured as a result of conflict,” Dr. Michael Apkon, president and CEO of The Hospital for Sick Children.