What's happening
This bill requires New York hospitals to adopt domestic violence policies, train staff, and coordinate with victim assistance organizations.
Why it matters
Mandates consistent and proactive hospital response. By requiring written policies and ongoing staff training, the bill ensures all hospital staff are better equipped to recognize, respond to, and refer domestic violence victims, reducing the risk of inconsistent or inadequate care.
Creates a dedicated point of contact for victims. Each hospital must designate a staff member to coordinate services for domestic violence victims, improving accountability and making it easier for patients to navigate help during a crisis.
Strengthens connections between hospitals and community resources. Hospitals are required to coordinate with local domestic violence or victim assistance organizations, which may lead to quicker and more specialized support for victims, including the presence of advocates when requested.
Places oversight in the hands of public health authorities. The bill tasks the health commissioner, in consultation with experts, to establish regulations, meaning procedures can be updated as best practices evolve and ensuring accountability for hospital compliance.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Hospitals Address Domestic Violence
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to health
- Defeated in health
- Notice of committee consideration - requested
- Referred to health
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3589
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 25, 2017
Introduced by Sens. PARKER, AVELLA, LATIMER, MONTGOMERY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to hospital domestic violence policies and procedures
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 2805-z to read as follows:
§ 2805-z. Hospital domestic violence policies and procedures. 1. Every general hospital shall: (a) develop, maintain and disseminate written policies and procedures for the identification, assessment, treatment and referral of confirmed or suspected cases of domestic violence; (b) establish, and implement on an ongoing basis, a training program for all current and new employees regarding the policies and procedures established pursuant to this section; (c) designate a staff member to coordinate services to victims of domestic violence; and (d) contact the domestic violence or victim assistance organization providing victim assistance to the geographic area served by such hospital to establish the coordination of services to domestic violence victims.
2. Upon admittance or commencement of treatment of a confirmed or suspected domestic violence victim, such hospital shall advise the victim of the availability of the services of a battered women's or victim assistance organization. If after receiving such advice the domestic violence victim wishes the presence of a domestic violence or victim assistance advocate, such hospital shall contact the appropriate organization and request that one be provided.
3. The commissioner shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary and proper to carry out effectively the provisions of this section. Prior to promulgating such rules and regulations, the commis-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06097-01-7
S. 3589 2
sioner shall consult with the office for the prevention of domestic violence and other such persons as the commissioner deems necessary.
§ 2. This act shall take effect January 1, 2018. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rules or regulations necessary for the implementation of the foregoing section of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to hospital domestic violence policies and procedures
Purpose
This bill requires hospitals to establish policies and procedures regarding domestic violence
Summary of provisions
Section one adds a new section 2805-Z to the Public Health Law to 1) require hospitals to establish policies and procedures regarding domestic violence; 2) establish ongoing training programs on domestic violence for all current and new employees; 3) designate a staff member to coordinate services to victims; and 4) contact community domestic violence service providers to Coordinate services to victims. In addition, hospitals are required to offer to contact a local advocate when admitting or treating confirmed or suspected domestic violence cases.
Justification
The Senate Democratic Task Force on Women's Issues held public hearings across the State on the health implications of domestic violence. Many witnesses at these hearings, including survivors, advocates and health care professionals, testified regarding the need for hospitals to establish and implement policies and procedures for the identification, treatment and referral of victims of domestic violence. By requiting hospitals to implement formal procedures and training programs, including coordination with community service providers, this legislation will help improve the health care system's response to the battered women it serves.
Legislative history
2015-16: S.1067A/A.1232A - Amend and Recommit to Health 2013-2014: S.1583A - Amended and Recommitted to Health 2011-12: S.1850A/A.7585A - Passed the Assembly; Died in Health 2009-10: S.3311 - Referred to Health
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect January 1, 2018. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rules or regulations necessary for the implementation of the foregoing section of this act on its effective date is authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.