Requires hospitals to establish policies and procedures regarding domestic violence; establishes ongoing training programs on domestic violence for all current and new hospital employees; designates a hospital staff member to coordinate services to victims; provides for the interaction of hospitals with community domestic violence service providers in order to coordinate services to victims of domestic violence; requires hospitals to offer to contact a local advocate when admitting or treating a confirmed or suspected victim of domestic violence.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A1232A
SPONSOR: Lavine (MS) TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the public health law, in relation to
hospital domestic violence policies and procedures
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill will require hospitals to establish, disseminate, and maintain
policies to effectively aid victims of domestic violence.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: PBH 2805-x: 1. Mandate hospitals to develop, maintain, and
disseminate written policies for the identification, assessment, treat-
ment and referral of confirmed or suspected causes of domestic violence.
Requires a training program for all current and new employees regarding
the domestic violence policies the hospital establishes. Requires hospi-
tals to designate a staff member to coordinate services to victims of
domestic violence and requires the coordination of services to victims
by utilizing the local victim assistance organization.
PBH 2805-x: 2. Victims of domestic violence will be advised of the
availability of the services of battered women's or victim assistance
organizations. This section will also make victim assistance advocates
available to victims in hospitals.
PBH 2805-X: 3. Commissioner shall consult with office for the prevention
of domestic violence before developing rules and regulations
Section 2: Effective Date
JUSTIFICATION:
This legislation will ensure that when victims of domestic violence
visit a hospital there will be an established and effective identifica-
tion, assessment, treatment and referral policies. Victims of domestic
violence should not let bureaucracies stand in the way of effective
treatment.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2014- Passed Assembly as A.2562a
2012 - Passed Assembly as A.7585-A
2013 -Passed Assembly as A.2562
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None to the state
EFFECTIVE DATE:
January 1, 2017
