On the last day of its session, the Assembly passed legislation (A10067) sponsored by Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas (D-Astoria) that mandates the timely processing of sexual offense evidence kits (rape kits) and ensures that rape kits are tracked from hospitals to police agencies and from police agencies to forensic laboratories. The Senate earlier passed a companion bill (S8117) sponsored by Senator Kemp Hannon.

NYS Assembly Member Aravella Simotas and the United Community Civic Association will be hosting their 4th annual Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, May 12th at the Museum of the Moving Image beginning at 6:30pm.

Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas praised the passage of the 2016-2017 State Budget, which includes a middle-class tax cut, an increase to the State's minimum wage, paid family leave, and increased funding for education and mass transit.