PUBLISHED 5:46 PM ET Feb. 02, 2021 PUBLISHED 5:46 PM EST Feb. 02, 2021
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The pepper spraying of a 9-year-old girl by Rochester police officers led state Sen. Samra Brouk to do what she felt was obvious: ban cops from using chemical irritants against kids.
This week, the freshman lawmaker along with Assemblyman Demond Meeks introduced the bill to ban the use of pepper spray, tear gas, and similar irritants by police against minors. I think that this bill is part of a national conversation at this point, she said. Unfortunately we re in the headlines right now with what happened with this nine year old girl. I m hoping we can use that momentum. Obviously this is a common sense response. Don t spray pepper spray in a little girl s face.
PUBLISHED 7:50 PM ET Feb. 02, 2021 PUBLISHED 7:50 PM EST Feb. 02, 2021
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New York State Attorney General Letitia James released a report last week that showed many nursing home facilities were severely understaffed during the pandemic, putting residents and staff more at risk.
On Tuesday, a bill advanced through the New York State Assembly health committee that would create a minimum nurse-to-patient ratio for both hospitals and nursing home facilities.
Assembly sponsor of the bill, Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, said this pandemic served as a wake-up call and emphasized the need for safer staffing levels in these facilities.
“We’re not trying to hurt anybody. We’re not trying to hurt finances of the hospitals. But we are trying to improve the quality of care in New York state and provide the care that is necessary for the patients we care for, Gunther said.