What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 43
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.962
- Print number 7375a
- Amend (t) and recommit to mental health and developmental disabilities
- Referred to mental health and developmental disabilities
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Relates to disqualification of employment for criminal history and the definition of ability to consent; provides hearsay exception for developmentally disabled
In Assembly Committee · Codes · Sponsor Harvey Weisenberg
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S7375A
Title of bill
An act to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to providing an exception to the hearsay rule to allow testimony from persons with developmental disabilities
Purpose
Establishes the exception to hearsay rule for persons with Developmental Disabilities.
Summary of provisions
This Bill creates a statutory exception to the "hearsay rule" to allow an otherwise inadmissible statement made by a victim with developmental disabilities to be used in court if deemed reliable by a judge.
Justification
Research shows that 80 percent of developmentally disabled women and 32 percent of developmentally disabled men have been the victims of sexual assault, however, less than one percent of prosecuted sexual assault cases involve developmentally disabled victims. These cases are often not prosecuted because individuals with developmental disabilities have a perceived lack of credibility and can have severely limited mean of communications. By allowing the developmentally disabled to provide statements to those close to them or in the communicative means most comfortable to them they are able to provide effective testimony.
This legislation also provides protections for the accused by mandating detailed jury instructions and corroborating evidence at trial. Seven other states have enacted similar legislation.
This legislation is critical to strengthen protections for our vulnerable populations and hold the guilty accountable.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Local fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.