Serino Bill to Protect Victims of Sexual Assault Signed Into Law

SERINO BILL TO PROTECT VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT SIGNED INTO LAW

ALBANY—Senator Sue Serino (R, C, I—Hyde Park) today announced that her bill (S. 4340B)   which strengthens protections for victims of sexual assault has been signed into law.

“At a time when there is a concerted effort to increase awareness to combat sexual assault, particularly on college campuses, it’s clear that we need to be doing all that we can to make sure our system works and provides real protections for victims,” said Senator Serino. “This commonsense legislation is a step in the right direction and has the potential to make a significant difference for individuals who have been victimized.” 

In 2006, the criminal procedure law was amended to extend the allowable duration of a final order of protection issued in criminal cases. However, the amendments did not account fully for longer probation periods required by law for misdemeanor and felony sexual assault convictions.  

Currently, when a final order of protection is issued on a sexual assault conviction where probation is imposed, the order will expire before the defendant has completed probation, leaving the victim vulnerable and without the necessary legal line of defense against their assailant.

This bill amends current law to provide that the duration of a final order of protection lasts throughout the extent of the offender’s probation.

“Too often victims of sexual assault choose not to report crimes against them for fear of retaliation and an inherent distrust in a system that can leave them vulnerable to repeat offense,” continued Senator Serino.

“We have a responsibility to ensure that the law offers them the highest level of protection and I thank the Governor and my colleagues—especially Assemblywoman Amy Paulin who sponsored this bill in the Assembly—for making this issue a priority.”

The bill will take effect in 30 days and will apply to offenses committed on or after the effective date.

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