Senator Jamaal T. Bailey's Third Bill Signed into Law

I am proud to announce that Governor Andrew Cuomo signed my third bill into law late last week. This bill (S3338) defines what “necessary court appearance” means for determining crime victims’ awards to include any part of the proceedings from arraignment through sentencing, pre and post-trial hearings, and hearings before the parole board. Now we ensure that crime victims in New York State are reimbursed for traveling to court.

Prior to this law, crime victim awards for “necessary court appearances” was not adequately covering all of the instances where a crime victim was needed to testify, leaving them with the cost burden of attending court. This new legislation focuses on the treatment of and input from crime victims. Our judicial system can function more effectively when victims report crimes, confer with prosecutors, testify at hearings and trial, and participate in other phases.

Notwithstanding that fact, some victims have been alienated from the system and their journey for justice because they can ill-afford to cover all the transportation costs associated with attending and participating in all phases of prosecution. With this new legislation, all transportation needs for the victims of crime will be covered each step of the judicial process.