FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 22, 2013

Assembly Approves Legislative Package to
Strengthen Domestic Violence Laws


Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Judiciary Committee Chair Helene Weinstein, Codes Committee Chair Joseph Lentol and Social Services Committee Chair Michele R. Titus today announced passage of legislation aimed at increasing protections for victims of domestic violence.

"Over the years, we have made great strides in changing laws and providing supportive services for domestic violence survivors. However, there is more work to do to ensure we continue to reduce the prevalence of domestic abuse," said Silver. "The approval of this legislative package demonstrates the Assembly's ongoing commitment to helping victims of domestic violence. The group of bills approved today will help break the cycle of abuse by empowering victims and strengthening domestic violence laws."

Strengthening Orders of Protection and Ending Discrimination

In recognition of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, the Assembly passed a resolution (K.313/Titus) to proclaim April 22, 2013 as Domestic Violence Awareness Day in New York State and also approved legislation that would strengthen domestic violence laws. Initiatives included in the legislative package aimed at reinforcing orders of protection and increasing safeguards to protect victims of domestic violence against discrimination would:

"With more than 400,000 domestic incidents reported in New York each year, it is essential to make sure that laws are passed which provide domestic violence victims the protection needed to end this vicious cycle," said Weinstein. "The legislative package approved today will do just that by addressing gaps in state law that have unnecessarily made the recovery process more difficult for victims."

"Domestic violence is a serious and pervasive issue that transcends race, class, gender and sexual orientation," said Lentol. "Given the severe consequences of domestic abuse, the Assembly has made it our goal to provide all victims with the assistance and protection they deserve. By adopting measures that end discrimination and reinforce orders of protection, we hope to ease the recovery process for those who have been victimized and their loved ones."

Also part of the legislative package is a measure sponsored by Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell (A.6390) that would make it illegal for an individual to possess a firearm if he or she has committed a family offense. Provisions included in the bill add certain domestic violence offenses to the list of "serious offenses" for which purchasing or possessing a license for a firearm, rifle or shotgun would constitute a class A misdemeanor.

"Domestic violence victims experience a host of health and mental health-related consequences at far greater rates than their counterparts who have not been abused," said Titus. "Too often, victims of domestic abuse lack the resources and support system they need to help them out of an abusive relationship. As such, it is vitally important that we continue to make available essential supportive services to help end the pervasiveness of domestic abuse in our communities."

Additional legislation included in this package would require the interpretation of orders of protection in court proceedings where an interpreter has been appointed (A.1084/Weinstein) and require hospitals to maintain policies to effectively aid victims of domestic violence (A.2562/Lavine).