New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) announced the Assembly passed a series of bills to address the issue of domestic violence and provide better assistance, protection and justice to victims.

“Domestic violence is tragic, comes in many forms and has far-reaching side effects. I’m committed to doing everything I can on the state level to reduce its incidence and offer support to those who have been affected,” said Assemblyman Fred Thiele. “Domestic violence is chronically unreported. Even so, in New York State in 2014, 186,002 calls were made to hotlines to report domestic violence.¹ We must do all we can to prevent this abhorrent crime and protect our communities.”

The damage caused by domestic violence is not limited by gender, age, ethnicity or sexual orientation. Survivors and their children often struggle with the long-term effects for years. The Assembly’s legislation represents a commitment to making sure victims have the support they need.

Preventing discrimination

“Victims of domestic violence have not only physical, but also emotional hurdles to overcome, as they heal and move forward,” said Thiele. “It’s wrong for employers to discriminate based on a domestic violence situation, which is why the Assembly’s legislation aims to make it illegal.”

Specifically, the Assembly’s legislation would prohibit employment discrimination against victims of domestic violence and allow employees to take time off from work to attend court proceedings or medical and counseling appointments related to domestic violence (A.272).

Protecting victims

“When an intimate partner becomes abusive, it can be frightening to seek help – unfortunately, that’s one reason these crimes often go unreported,” said Assemblyman Thiele. “But survivors need to know they are not alone and help is available, and the Assembly’s legislation strengthens the laws that protect them.”

The measures would:

• prohibit domestic violence offenders from possessing or purchasing a firearm (A.5257and A.6340);
• require the language interpretation of orders of protection in court proceedings (A.162);
• require hospitals to establish procedures regarding domestic violence and ongoing training programs for staff, and to designate a hospital staff member to coordinate services to victims (A.1232-A);
• extend a law authorizing referees to determine applications for orders of protection while family court is in session (A.9686); and
• allow judges expanded discretion in sentencing defendants who are victims of domestic violence where the abuse was a significant factor in the commission of an offense (A.4409-B).

Expanding victims’ rights

“While recovering from a domestic violence situation, victims need support to help them take back their lives,” said Assemblyman Thiele. “The Assembly’s legislation will hold abusers accountable for their actions and give survivors and their loved ones the tools to put their abuse behind them.”

The Assembly’s legislation would:

• allow victims to recover non-economic damages from any or all defendants found liable for failure to obey or enforce domestic violence orders of protection or temporary orders of protection (A.260);
• require wireless telephone companies to allow victims of domestic violence to opt out of shared or family plans without incurring any penalties (A.326-A);
• require companies to allow victims of domestic violence to end services like cable, internet or phone, when there is a domestic violence incident report, an order of protection or a signed affidavit (A.274-A);
• require health insurers to allow victims of domestic violence to designate alternative contact information to receive claim and billing information (A.1358); and
• ensure victims of domestic violence understand their rights during criminal and family court proceedings by simplifying the language in court documents (A.9628).

Victims of domestic violence and sexual assault can seek help 24 hours a day by calling New York’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-942-6906. For further information, visit the New York State Office of Victim Services’ website at ovs.ny.gov or the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence website at opdv.ny.gov.

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