Assemblywoman Rhoda Jacobs (D-Flatbush) thanked Governor Cuomo for signing her domestic violence shelter bill (A.2651-B) into law (chap .459 of 2012).
"Expecting an individual, or a family, to start a new life in 90 days is unrealistic in some cases. With the signing of this new law, the Governor recognizes what the advocates and I have already known, that victims of domestic violence deserve all the help we can provide as they recover from the damage done to them and as they try to put their lives back together," said Assembly Assistant Speaker Jacobs. "This legislation will help provide the extra support necessary for many of these victims to move forward by giving back some of the security and peace of mind they had taken away from them."
Until today, domestic violence victims could not stay in residential programs more than 90 days. Under special circumstances, those in need of emergency shelter may stay up to an additional 45 days. Ms. Jacobs’ new law provides for a second, 45 day extension for an individual or family affected by domestic violence if neither the resident nor social services is able to secure safe, alternative housing.
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