Senate Passes Domestic Violence Legislation

Bill Represents Three-Way Agreement

The New York State Senate today passed legislation that will protect victims of domestic violence and establish stronger criminal penalties to punish individuals who commit acts of domestic violence.

The bill (S7638), sponsored by Senator Steve Saland (R-I-C, Poughkeepsie), Chairman of the Senate Codes Committee, represents a three-way agreement among the Senate, Governor Cuomo and the Assembly.  It includes several important provisions included in bills that have already passed the Senate this year, such as bail reforms and increased penalties for domestic violence crimes.

“Not since 1994, when I fought for the mandatory arrest policy for situations involving domestic violence, have we made such significant progress for those who are abused by an intimate partner or family member,” said Senator Saland. “This was a collaborative effort and I genuinely believe with the enactment of this legislation, we are making our state a safer place for many who live in fear.  Today, their voices have been heard.”

“This legislation builds on our commitment to combat domestic violence and protect innocent victims, which has always been a focus of our Senate Republican conference,” Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos said.  “Rather than politicize this issue as others have done, we’ve worked cooperatively with the Governor and Assembly to once again show that government can function and deliver on a critically important issue.  I applaud the Governor for his leadership and commend Senator Saland and Senator Golden for helping us achieve a strong bill that will save lives.” 

Senator Marty Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn), a former New York City Police Officer stated, “This life saving bill creates better protections for victims of domestic violence from abuse and harassment in their homes and personal lives. Our society should not tolerate hateful acts of domestic violence and this new law will continue our state’s long standing tradition of protecting women’s rights. No one in the Empire State should have to live under the threat of violence and fear.”

Highlights of the domestic violence legislation include the following:

•  Establishing a domestic violence fatality review team to examine factors involved in deaths related to domestic violence
•  Expanding factors for bail consideration including prior violations of orders of protection;
• Creating a new felony-level crime of Aggravated Family Offense, where the defendant and victim are members of the same family or household;
•  Elevating the crime of Harassment from a violation to a Class A misdemeanor, where the defendant and victim are members of the same family or household; and
•  Prohibiting a person who was served with an order of protection or charged in the death of a decedent from controlling the disposition of the person’s remains.

"It is appalling that, under state health law, a person who has murdered their spouse may control the remains and funeral arrangements," said Senator Ranzenhofer (R-C-I, Amherst).  "This domestic violence legislation will prohibit a person from doing so and will finally right a wrong, protecting families in the future from intensifying grief after the tragic passing of a loved one." 

“Victims of domestic violence deserve to know that law enforcement officials have all the tools they need to protect people from abusive partners,” Senator Andrew Lanza (R-I, Staten Island)  said.  “This legislation is a major step forward in the fight to end domestic violence,  helping to discourage these horrible crimes and provide more appropriate punishment when they occur. I thank Senator Saland for his commitment to this important issue which impacts so many New York families.”

“In Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester counties, we have had numerous families fall victim to domestic violence, as well as Police Officer John Falcone who, while in the line of duty, was caught in the dangerous crosshairs of domestic violence,” Senator Greg Ball (R-C, Pawling) said.  “This is an epidemic that tears families apart and represents the absolute most dangerous call to respond to for law enforcement. The fact that 25 percent of women experience domestic violence is appalling and should be considered a public health problem. We must continue to strengthen existing laws in order to ensure that perpetrators are being held accountable for their violence.”

HIGHLIGHTS OF COMPREHENSIVE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BILL

• Establishes within the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence a domestic violence fatality review team to examine factors involved in domestic violence homicides and suicides and make recommendations.

•  Expands factors courts must consider when determining recognizance or bail for domestic violence crimes. The court must consider and take into account any prior violations of orders of protection and the defendant’s history of use or possession of a firearm.

•  Prohibits a person who was served with an order of protection or arrested or charged in the death of a decedent from controlling the person’s remains.

• Creates a new crime of Aggravated Family Offense committed when one commits a “specified offense” and has been convicted of one or more such offenses within the immediately preceding five years. Aggravated Family Offense is a Class E felony. The victim does not have to be the same person or member of the same family or household. 

•  Among the crimes considered to be a "specified offense" are the following: Assault; Menacing; Reckless Endangerment; Stalking; Strangulation; Manslaughter; Murder; Sexual Misconduct; Rape; Sexual Abuse, Unlawful Imprisonment; Burglary; Predatory Sexual Assault of a Child; and Harassment. 

•  Increases the crime of Harassment from a violation to a Class A misdemeanor, where the defendant and victim are members of the same family or household;

•  Allows a victim of domestic violence to request an alternative mailing address, telephone number or other contact information to receive specific health claim and billing information.

The bill was sent to the Assembly.  

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