What's happening
This bill expands eligibility for crime victim awards by easing reporting requirements for victims of certain sex or family offenses.
Why it matters
Reduces barriers for victims of sex offenses and family offenses. by allowing them more flexibility in reporting timelines; instead of requiring a report within one week, victims can report "within a reasonable time," taking into account their circumstances and condition.
Expands the definition of “criminal justice agency”. for these cases, so victims can report to a wider range of authorities (including family courts, protective services agencies, and medical facilities that perform forensic exams)—not just the police or district attorney.
Makes it easier for vulnerable populations (like domestic violence and trafficking survivors). to access financial compensation, recognizing that trauma or safety concerns often delay prompt reporting to law enforcement.
Signals a systemic shift toward trauma-informed policy. , acknowledging that rigid reporting requirements can unfairly exclude deserving victims from receiving assistance.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let Crime Victims Use Other Proof
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Signed chap.295
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to assembly
- Passed senateVote 61–0
- 3rd reading cal.1737
- Substituted for S8751
- Referred to investigations and government operations
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading cal.299
- Returned to assembly
- Died in senate
Show 8 earlier actions
- Referred to investigations and government operations
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Advanced to third reading cal.205
- Reported
- Reported referred to ways and means
- Reported referred to codes
- Referred to governmental operations
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.
Accept Documents for Victim Aid
Senate Floor Calendar · Sponsor Luis R. Sepúlveda
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3936
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 30, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. PRETLOW, ABBATE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to eligibility to receive awards from the crime victims board
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 631 of the executive law, as amended by section 22 of part A-1 of chapter 56 of the laws of 2010, is amended to read as follows:
1. No award shall be made unless the office finds that (a) a crime was committed, (b) such crime directly resulted in personal physical injury to or the exacerbation of a preexisting disability, or condition, or death of, the victim, and (c) criminal justice agency records show that such crime was promptly reported to the proper authorities; and in no case may an award be made where the criminal justice agency records show that such report was made more than one week after the occurrence of such crime unless the office, for good cause shown, finds the delay to have been justified[; provided, however]. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subdivision, in cases involving an alleged sex offense as contained in article one hundred thirty of the penal law or incest as defined in section 255.25, 255.26 or 255.27 of the penal law or labor trafficking as defined in section 135.35 of the penal law or sex trafficking as defined in section 230.34 of the penal law or an offense chargeable as a family offense as described in section eight hundred twelve of the family court act or section 530.11 of the criminal procedure law, the criminal justice agency report need only be made within a reasonable time considering all the circumstances, including the victim's physical, emotional and mental condition and family situation. For the purposes of this subdivision, "criminal justice agency" shall include, but not be limited to, a police department, a district attorney's office, and any other governmental agency having responsibil-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08657-01-7
A. 3936 2
ity for the enforcement of the criminal laws of the state provided, however, that in cases involving such sex offense or family offense a criminal justice agency shall also mean a family court, a governmental agency responsible for child and/or adult protective services pursuant to title six of article six of the social services law and/or title one of article nine-B of the social services law, and any medical facility established under the laws of the state that provides a forensic physical examination for victims of rape and sexual assault.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.