This bill requires gas and electric utilities to accept and credit public assistance payments directly for residential customers. It specifically mandates that utilities treat payments from programs like the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and emergency funding as full payment, regardless of a customer's account status. Utilities must use these payments to restore service or stop collections activity. The law directly affects low-income residential utility customers who receive public assistance and the utilities serving them. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.
This bill (A 10279) prohibits insurance companies from discriminating against policyholders based on marital status after the death of a spouse. It directly affects widowed individuals who purchase or maintain property, casualty, home, renter's, or auto insurance. The law bans insurers from refusing to continue coverage, canceling policies, limiting coverage, or charging higher premiums solely because a policyholder is widowed. The provision applies to all insurance types covered under the law and takes effect upon the bill's enactment.
Extends the effectiveness of the authority of the town of Red Hook to impose real estate transfer taxes and to deposit revenue from such taxes into a community preservation fund.
Requires rent reduction in cases of submetered utility service; directs the division of housing and community renewal to develop a standard reduction and an appeals process.
Establishes the homeowner protection program; provides that the department of law shall establish the homeowner protection program to ensure the availability of free housing counseling and legal services to homeowners for the purposes of mitigating threats to homeownership; provides that the department of law shall provide grants to eligible not-for-profit housing counseling organizations and legal services organizations to provide services under the program.
Establishes a co-shelter toolkit of best practices, resources, case studies and other information deemed helpful to inform and encourage the implementation and sustenance of co-shelter models for victims of domestic violence and people experiencing homelessness with companion animals; makes related provisions.
Authorizes municipalities to establish an emergency repair pilot program; enables municipalities to repair immediately hazardous code violations in buildings where the owner has not undertaken such repairs in a reasonable time.
Requires out-of-state affordable housing owners to maintain an escrow account for the purpose of financing utility costs, property tax obligations, fire services, and regular maintenance costs for affordable housing rental units located in New York state.
Allows a real property tax exemption for dwelling units constructed for senior citizens or disabled persons receiving social security disability benefits.
Relates to artist preferences in housing; provides that giving occupancy preference to individuals who are involved in artistic activities is not an unlawful discriminatory practice provided that such preference is implemented or authorized by an agency or the state of New York.
