Senator Onorato Joins Senate Colleagues In Approving Bills To Target Violence Against Children, Improve Protective Services

State Senator George Onorato (D-Queens) recently joined with his Senate colleagues to approve a package of bills designed to increase penalties for parents who murder their children, further crack down on incest, and help to prevent crimes against children before they happen.

"We have all been stunned and horrified by the recent deaths of Nixzmary Brown and Quachon Brown at the hands of their parents or other household members," said Senator Onorato. "But while I certainly find it appropriate to increase penalties for those who commit these heinous acts, it is equally important that we take new steps to prevent these crimes before they happen. We need to better identify families in crisis and be able to step in before the unspeakable occurs."

In the area of increased penalties, Senator Onorato joined the majority of his colleagues in approving "Nixzmary’s Law," which would impose a penalty of life without parole for parents or guardians convicted of killing a child (S6481). He also supported legislation that would increase felony penalties for incest (S6277), and establish new crimes of endangering the welfare of a child, including instances where a person commits a violent act in the presence of a child (S1513).

With Senator Onorato’s support, the Senate also passed bills to help improve child protective services, including legislation to require caseworkers to receive annual training to help them identify and recognize child abuse and neglect (S1514), provide educational resources for adoptive and foster parents (S6525), and allow caseworkers to gain access to criminal records to learn whether persons accused of abuse or neglect have been convicted of relevant offenses (S4649).

"These are first steps towards providing a better safety net for our children," said Senator Onorato, noting that the State Assembly and New York City Council are also investigating ways to improve New York’s child welfare system. "I am hopeful that one of the ultimate hallmarks of the 2006 legislative session will be a package of new laws on both the state and city levels that will help to protect our young people from harm and better respond to families in crisis."

In addition to the initiatives now being proposed, Senator Onorato noted, "I hope that we will also find ways to ensure greater coordination among agencies involved in child welfare, help school personnel to better identify and flag potential signs of abuse and neglect, and ensure that caseworkers on the front lines of child protective services have the support and resources they need to keep our children safe."