New York Set Adoptees’ Birth Certificates Free Last Week, Advocates See Path for Other States

Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) ended decades of secrecy around adoptions in New York on Thursday, signing a landmark reform bill to allow adult adoptees unrestricted access to their original birth certificates.

Since 1936, that access has been barred without a court order. Advocates characterize New York’s rules as a human rights issue, and Cuomo echoed that in a statement.

“Where you came from informs who you are, and every New Yorker deserves access to the same birth records — it’s a basic ...

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Governor Cuomo Announces Administration Appointments

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced new appointments to his administration.

“Each of these individuals brings a depth of knowledge and experience that will be an enormous benefit to the people of the state,” Governor Cuomo said. “We have a phenomenal team in place and these new additions will play an integral role in advancing our bold, progressive agenda and delivering even more results in the year ahead.”

Full List of Appointments Can Be Found Here

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Governor Cuomo Announces 2020 State of the State Will Be Held at Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany on January 8

New Yorkers Wishing to Attend Can Register Beginning Dec. 20; Due to Limited Number of Tickets Attendees Will be Selected by Lottery

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the 2020 State of the State Address will be held in the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany on January 8 at 1:30 PM. New Yorkers wishing to attend should visit the Governor’s homepage to register between December 20th at 12:00 PM and December 30th at 5:00 PM.

Seating is limited and ...

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Governor Cuomo Directs DEC to Ban the Use of Chlorpyrifos

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today directed DEC to take immediate action to ban aerial use of chlorpyrifos. DEC will also have regulations in place to ban chlorpyrifos for all uses, except spraying apple tree trunks, by December 2020. Chlorpyrifos will be banned for all uses by July 2021. These actions will protect New Yorkers from significant adverse public health impacts, especially for children.

“Chlorpyrifos is a pesticide that has the potential to cause serious health problems in people who ingest it,” ...

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Albany Times Union: New York task force will focus on barriers to addiction treatment

NEW YORK — A new state task force will examine barriers that prevent people from seeking help for addiction, and the consequences once they do.

New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and member Linda Rosenthal announced the creation Tuesday of the “Assembly Task Force on Examining Socio-Economic Responses to People with Substance Use Disorders,” which they said will hold hearings around the state to receive testimony and recommendations from people on the front lines of the issue.

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