What's happening
This bill allows domestic violence victims in New York to file police reports with any local law enforcement agency statewide, not just where the incident occurred.
Why it matters
Reduces barriers for victims. By letting victims file reports anywhere in New York, the bill addresses practical and emotional obstacles—like fear of retaliation, travel limitations, or safety concerns—that can prevent victims from seeking help in the jurisdiction where abuse occurred.
Facilitates timely access to documentation. Local agencies are required to provide victims with a free copy of their police and domestic violence incident reports, which can be crucial for accessing protective orders, social services, or housing assistance.
Improves interagency cooperation. The bill mandates that the agency taking the report must promptly forward it to the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction, promoting faster investigations and reducing the risk of cases falling through bureaucratic cracks.
Potentially increases reporting rates. By making the process more flexible and victim-centered, the change could encourage more victims to come forward, which may lead to better identification of repeat offenders and stronger overall enforcement of domestic violence laws.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Easier Domestic Violence Reporting
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 38
History
- Substituted by A4467A
- Amended on third reading (t) 1243b
- Vote reconsidered - restored to third reading
- Returned to senate
- Recalled from assembly
- Referred to governmental operations
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 59–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.676
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Reported and committed to finance
- Print number 1243a
Show 2 earlier actions
- Amend and recommit to crime victims, crime and correction
- Referred to crime victims, crime and correction
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 Domestic Violence Anywhere
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Kenneth Zebrowski
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1243--B Cal. No. 676
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 11, 2019
Introduced by Sens. CARLUCCI, BIAGGI, BOYLE, COMRIE, GOUNARDES, HARCK- HAM, KAPLAN, RIVERA, SKOUFIS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction -- committee discharged, bill… Show allHide
Introduced by Sens. CARLUCCI, BIAGGI, BOYLE, COMRIE, GOUNARDES, HARCK- HAM, KAPLAN, RIVERA, SKOUFIS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- reported favorably from said committee and committed to the Committee on Finance -- committee discharged and said bill committed to the Committee on Rules -- reported favorably from said committee, ordered to a third reading, passed by Senate and delivered to the Assembly, recalled, vote reconsidered, restored to third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place in the order of third reading
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to the reporting of domestic violence incidents
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 646 of the executive law, as amended by chapter 346 of the laws of 2007, is amended by adding a new subdivision 3 to read as follows:
3. An individual who has been the victim in this state of a family offense as defined in subdivision one of section 530.11 of the criminal procedure law or section eight hundred twelve of the family court act may, upon alleging that it would be a hardship for him or her to make such complaint in the local jurisdiction in which such offense occurred, make a complaint to any local law enforcement agency in the state regardless of where the act took place. Such local law enforcement agency shall take a police report of the matter, as well as prepare a domestic violence incident report as defined in subdivision fifteen of section eight hundred thirty-seven of this chapter and provide the complainant with a copy of such report free of charge. A copy of the police report and completed domestic violence incident report shall be promptly forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement agency with juris-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06560-08-9
S. 1243--B 2
diction over the location where the incident is reported to have occurred for the purposes of further investigation.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to the reporting of domestic violence incidents
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill would allow a victim of a domestic incident to make a complaint to any local law enforcement agency in the state regardless of where the act took place.
Summary of provisions
Section one of this bill amends the section 646 of the executive law as it relates to allowing a victim of a domestic incident to make a complaint to any local law enforcement agency in the state regardless of where the act took place. Such local law enforcement agency shall take a police report and a domestic incident report. The law enforcement agency shall forward the reports to the law enforcement agency with jurisdic- tion over the location where the incident occurred for the further investigation.
Section two relates to the effective date.
Difference between original and amended version (if applicable)
This bill has been amended to make technical corrections to clarify the purpose of the bill.
Justification
A victim of domestic violence may have to leave the scene of the domes- tic incident for his or her own safety. In certain cases, the victim may go to stay at the residence of a friend or family member that is not in the same law enforcement jurisdiction as the jurisdiction where the incident is reported to occur. Due to the fact that the victim is no longer in the same jurisdiction as the incident, the victim may be unable to report the domestic incident to the police unless he or she returns to the same jurisdiction. Thus, the victim may run the risk of further harm from his or her abuser. This legislation would directly address this situation and allow a victim of a domestic incident to make a complaint to any local law enforcement agency in the state regardless of where the act took place.
Prior legislative history
A.11346 of 2017-18
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.