What's happening
This bill requires a comprehensive evaluation and report on services for domestic violence survivors, including the potential for a statewide forensic examiner program.
Why it matters
The bill mandates a detailed assessment of services currently offered to domestic violence survivors, aiming to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement. This could directly impact the quality and reach of support survivors receive across the state.
It requires a specific evaluation of existing forensic examiner programs and their effectiveness in supporting prosecutions of domestic violence crimes. This focus addresses the intersection of healthcare, law enforcement, and the legal system, potentially leading to stronger criminal cases and increased accountability for abusers.
Recommendations must address ways to enhance evidence collection, improve victim services, and assess the financial implications of expanding forensic programs, including strategies to prevent new costs from falling on local governments. This comprehensive approach could influence how resources are allocated and ensure that any changes are sustainable and equitable.
By involving multiple state agencies (health, criminal justice, and domestic violence prevention), the bill seeks a coordinated, multi-disciplinary response. This could foster better collaboration and more holistic solutions for addressing domestic violence in New York.
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Report Domestic Violence Programs
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
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History
- Referred to governmental operations
- 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.
Report on Domestic Violence Programs
In Senate Committee · Finance · Sponsor Rich Funke
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2523
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 23, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. HEVESI -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to reporting of programs available to survivors of domestic violence
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 575 of the executive law is amended by adding a new subdivision 11 to read as follows:
11. Legislative intent. (a) The legislature hereby finds that domestic violence is a pervasive problem in New York state, with hundreds of thousands of incidents being reported each year. The legislature further finds that domestic violence forensic examiner programs have the potential to improve the state's ability to prosecute such crimes, and enhance the provision of treatment and services to victims. Therefore, the legislature finds it prudent and necessary to require a comprehensive evaluation of existing services and such forensic examiner programs to determine how to best reduce and address domestic violence within the state.
(b) On or before November thirtieth, two thousand twenty-one, the executive director of the office for the prevention of domestic violence shall, in conjunction with the commissioner of health and the commissioner of criminal justice services, provide a report and recommendations to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, and the speaker of the assembly regarding the potential establishment of a statewide domestic violence forensic examiner program.
(c) Such report and recommendations shall include, but not be limited to:
(i) the types of treatment programs and resources currently available to survivors of domestic violence;
(ii) an evaluation of any existing domestic violence forensic examiner programs, including their impact on domestic violence prosecutions;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01049-01-9
A. 2523 2
(iii) a list of criminal offenses for which prosecutions could be aided by a statewide domestic violence forensic examiner program;
(iv) recommendations regarding potential practices and protocols that could enhance the collection of evidence in domestic violence cases, and improve the quality of treatment and services provided to victims; and
(v) an evaluation of fiscal costs associated with the establishment of a statewide domestic violence forensic examiner program, including the potential role of private insurance providers and recommended measures to avoid subjecting local governmental units to any unfunded mandate.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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.