What's happening
This bill creates a grant program to support sexual assault forensic examiners, improving statewide services for sexual assault victims.
Why it matters
Expands access to specialized care for sexual assault victims. By funding sexual assault forensic examiners (SAFEs), the bill aims to ensure that more victims statewide can receive skilled, trauma-informed medical exams and evidence collection—which are crucial for both physical/mental health and legal proceedings.
Addresses workforce and training needs. The grant program specifically supports training and resources for forensic examiners, helping to alleviate shortages and improve the quality and consistency of care and evidence handling across New York.
Coordinates victim services and justice processes. The involvement of both the Department of Health and the Crime Victims Board encourages collaboration between healthcare and victim support systems, potentially leading to better outcomes in both immediate care and longer-term justice for survivors.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Fund Sexual Assault Examiner Grants
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
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.
Fund Sexual Assault Examiners
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Aileen Gunther
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4446
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 15, 2017
Introduced by Sens. MONTGOMERY, COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law and the executive law, in relation to establishing the sexual assault forensic examiner grant program
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. Sexual assault forensic examiner grant program. 1. There is hereby created within the department a sexual assault forensic examiner grant program to be administered by the commissioner, in consultation with the crime victims board, to award grants to provide statewide access to victims of sexual assault to services provided by sexual assault forensic examiners.
2. A grant may be awarded upon submission of an application to the commissioner. Such application for a grant shall demonstrate a specific need for an award of a grant to provide sexual assault forensic examiners with the training and resources to assist victims of sexual assault.
§ 2. Section 631 of the executive law is amended by adding a new subdivision 19 to read as follows:
19. Sexual assault forensic grants shall be available upon the submission of an application to the commissioner of health pursuant to section twenty-eight hundred five-z of the public health law.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02507-01-7
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 and the executive law, in relation to establishing the sexual assault forensic examiner grant program
Purpose
To create the sexual assault forensic examiner (SAFE) grant program to award grants to provide statewide services to victims of sexual assault. SAFE programs provide services that include maintaining sexual offense evidence and contacting a rape crisis or victim assistance organization to coordinate non-medical services.
Summary of provisions
Provides for the creation of a sexual assault forensic examiner (SAFE) grant program, to be administered by the commissioner of health in consultation with the division of criminal justice services, to award grants to provide statewide access to victims of sexual assault to services provided by SAFE. Grants will be awarded upon demonstration of a specific need for training and resources to assist victims of sexual assault.
Justification
Victims of sexual assault have needs that require special training and resources. It is essential that services exist throughout the state to better serve victims of sexual assault in the transition from medical to non-medical services.
Legislative history
2009-2010: Referred to Health
2011-2012: S.249 Died in Committee
2013: S.1329-A - Died in Committee
Fiscal implications
Minimal cost to the state.
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.