Published: July 2, 2010

The New York state legislature passed measures this week relating to adoption, workers rights, midwives, debit-card fees and the prevailing wage. The bills must be signed by Gov. David Paterson before they can become law. Here's a summary:

Domestic Workers' Rights

New York is the first state in the nation to pass a law that would provide working standards for domestic workers and nannies to protect against discrimination. Domestic workers and nannies would be entitled to temporary disability benefits, unemployment insurance, time off and overtime. About 200,000 workers in New York City would be covered.

Debit Cards Fees

Consumers could no longer be charged extra fees for paying with a debit card. Since 1984, merchants have been prevented from charging extra fees for payments made with credit cards. The new law would extend that prohibition to debit cards.

Midwives

Midwives would be able to provide care without having to sign written practice agreements with obstetricians and hospitals. Advocates of the new law say written practice agreements can require doctors and hospital to be responsible for patients they often never see. After St. Vincent's Hospital closed, many midwives who worked with the hospital had to scramble to find new hospitals or doctors with which they could sign new practice agreements.

Service Workers' Wages

Utility companies like Con Edison and National Grid would be required to pay service workers a prevailing wage. Utility companies that failed to pay janitors and security workers a prevailing wage would have to pay fines and face criminal charges.

Adoption Rights

Unmarried adult partners would now be formally allowed to adopt children. It also replaces current references in the law from "husband and wife" to "married couple." Unmarried partners would be able to apply for adoption together instead of filing two separate sets of paperwork, saving time and legal fees for applicants.