Biography

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr.
8th District, New York State Senate

First elected in 1998 to the New York State Senate, Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. represents the Eighth Senate District on Long Island, which includes portions of the Towns of Hempstead and Oyster Bay in Nassau County and a portion of the Town of Babylon in Suffolk County.

Throughout his tenure in the Senate, Senator Fuschillo's strong commitment to the residents of his district and sponsorship of historic legislation have earned him a reputation as a highly effective and well regarded public servant.

Recognizing that identity theft is one of the fastest growing consumer crimes in the country, affecting millions of people each year and costing billions of dollars, Senator Fuschillo, as Chairman of the Senate’s Consumer Protection Committee, has sponsored landmark legislation to safeguard people’s privacy and protect them from identity theft.

Senator Fuschillo authored the law requiring businesses and government agencies to notify consumers when their personal information is compromised as a result of a security breach. He wrote the law allowing consumers to block outside access to their credit information by placing a security freeze on their credit reports. Senator Fuschillo also authored the law creating New York State's Telemarketer 'Do Not Call' Registry.

Senator Fuschillo continues to work to strengthen New York's DWI laws and is the author of some of the most sweeping drunk driving reforms of the last quarter century in New York State. He authored the law that lowered New York State's legal blood alcohol content (BAC) level from .10 to .08. Senator Fuschillo also wrote a law that will increase penalties for repeat offenders, drunk drivers who kill, drive with an elevated BAC, or drive with a suspended or revoked license. The law also requires mandatory screening and/or treatment for drunk drivers. The new law represents one of the most comprehensive reforms in the nation.

To protect the public health, Senator Fuschillo sponsored a statewide ban on over-the-counter products containing the dangerous dietary supplement ephedra. Senator Fuschillo also wrote the law to amend the New York State Clean Indoor Air Act to ensure that all workers in the state are protected from secondhand smoke.

To create jobs and enhance Long Island’s economy, Senator Fuschillo helped develop the Broadhollow Bioscience Park at Farmingdale State College, which serves as a home to established and startup biotechnology companies. Senator Fuschillo's efforts to expand the park are helping to generate over one thousand private sector jobs, attract and retain primary and secondary businesses, and bring hundreds of millions of dollars into the Long Island economy.

Senator Fuschillo has worked hard to protect our children. He authored numerous child safety laws, and helped secure millions of dollars in additional state aid for local school districts. Senator Fuschillo’s efforts have led to enhanced safety measures for day care centers, improved adoption laws, and further protections for children afflicted with asthma.

A leader in the fight against autism, Senator Fuschillo authored a law to ensure that autism patients receive equitable coverage for care from insurance companies.

Senator Fuschillo is a strong advocate in the fight against breast cancer. Working together with breast cancer advocacy organizations, he wrote the law that requires New York State to match donations made to the state's Breast Cancer Research and Education Fund listed on state income tax return forms. Senator Fuschillo also fought to end the practice of disqualifying adoptive parents on the basis of being a survivor of cancer or any other serious illness. In addition, he sponsors numerous 'no-cost' mobile mammography checkups for women over the age of forty throughout his district.

An active member of the community, Senator Fuschillo is involved with many different local organizations, including Kiwanis, the Chamber of Commerce, the Community Wellness Council, Italian Americans in Government, and Order Sons of Italy in America. He also coaches his daughter’s soccer team.

A life long resident of Long Island, Senator Fuschillo graduated from Carle Place High School, and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Adelphi University, majoring in Finance.

Senator Fuschillo and his wife, Ellen, have three children.

Senator Fuschillo is Chairman of the Senate Consumer Protection Committee and a member of the Senate Committees on Civil Service and Pensions; Commerce, Economic Development, and Small Business; Education; Health; Labor; and Transportation.