Reminder: HERO Act Safety Committee Requirement Takes Effect Nov. 1

​Many private employers in New York State must permit their employees to form workplace safety committees starting next Monday. The requirement is part of the New York State HERO Act​, which became law last May and was amended in June. If you have 10 or more employees, you must permit them to form a committee if they so choose. Section 2​ of the HERO Act, which takes effect on Nov. 1, states, "Employers shall permit employees to establish and administer a joint labor-management workplace safety committee, but not more than one committee per worksite, provided however that an employer that already has a workplace safety committee…

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Albany Update: Big I NY to Testify on Lead Paint Exclusion Bill, Criminal Charges Filed Against Cuomo

This week, Big I NY was invited to testify in person before the Senate Insurance Committee on legislation to ban the use of lead paint exclusions in rental property liability coverage. We believe that while well-intentioned, this measure would completely destabilize the rental liability coverage market, resulting in a crisis of availability. The hearing will take place beginning at 10:00am on Monday, November 8th, and will be webcast. On Thursday, the Albany County Sheriff's Office filed a criminal complaint against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, charging him with forcibly touching an executive assistant last year, which is a misdemeanor. Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said in…

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The New CE Requirements Apply To You Even If You’ve Already Taken 15 Hours

​Since the New York State Department of Financial Services announced that it has adopted a new regulation (effective Nov. 12, 2021) regarding mandatory continuing education courses, we've been receiving questions like this one:I was hoping to run something past you quick regarding the attached revision to CE requirements. It states that this applies to any insurance producer whose license renews on or after April 1st. Does that mean that a licensed individual who is set to renew their license on April 2nd, 2022 are required to meet those requirements in order to renew their license even if they have taken 15 credits that don’t meet…

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