What's happening
This bill creates a grant program to fund sexual assault forensic examiners, improving statewide access to services for sexual assault victims.
Why it matters
Expands access to trained sexual assault forensic examiners statewide. , which can help ensure that victims in rural or underserved areas receive timely and specialized care, as well as critical forensic evidence collection.
Directs funding toward both training and resources for forensic examiners. , potentially improving the quality and consistency of services provided to survivors, and supporting the professional development of examiners.
Streamlines the process for organizations to apply for grants by establishing clear application requirements and administrative oversight. , which may encourage more hospitals or service providers to participate and expand their capacity to serve victims.
Involves coordination between the Department of Health and the Crime Victims Board. , signaling a more integrated state response to sexual assault and potentially improving outcomes for victims navigating both health and legal systems.
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Who cares
Sexual assault survivors
The bill would establish grants intended to provide statewide access to sexual assault forensic examiner services.
- Likely support
Sexual assault forensic examiners
Grants would support training and resources to help them assist sexual assault victims, based on applications demonstrating a specific need.
New York State Department of Health
The health commissioner would administer the grant program and receive applications.
Crime Victims Board
The board would consult with the health commissioner on awarding grants.
Headline styles
Fund Sexual Assault Examiner Grants
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Print number 750a
- Amend and recommit to finance
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to health
- Reported and committed to finance
- 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 Examiner Grants
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
750--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sens. MONTGOMERY, COMRIE, GOUNARDES -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health -- recommitted to the Committee on Health in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- reported favorably from said committee and committed to the Committee on Finance -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
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-aa to read as follows:
§ 2805-aa. 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-aa 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.
LBD00722-02-0
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.