The Assembly Minority Conference today offered several Smart Solutions to the package of domestic violence and crime victims’ bills taken up on the Assembly Floor, proposing amendments that would provide greater protections for victims of crimes and their families. The proposals presented today included:

• Enacting Brittany’s Law (A.6732), a measure that would create a violent-felony offender registry;
• Extending the effective dates of Orders of Protection for two additional years in extreme cases (A.5740); and
• Providing a harsher penalty for intentionally committing an act of domestic violence in the presence of a child (A.5751).

All three measures were rejected by the Majority Conference. Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C-Canandaigua) called out the Majority’s decision to block common-sense reforms that would provide additional measures of protection and help raise awareness of the mental, physical and emotional ramifications that victims and their families struggle to overcome.

“The statistics surrounding domestic violence are startling. My colleagues and I have worked tirelessly to promote legislative solutions to help protect and empower victims, improve the safety of those suffering and give law enforcement the tools needed to hold abusers accountable,” said Leader Kolb. “The measures presented today, including Brittany’s Law, could help prevent tragedies today, tomorrow and in the future. It’s shameful the Majority refused to look past party lines and vote in favor of the life-saving measures offered today. Our work on behalf of crime victims across the state is not done – we will not stop.”

The Minority’s Task Force on Preventing Domestic Violence hosted several forums and listened to the concerns of survivors and other stakeholders. As a result of the forums, the Conference issued a report, “A Safe Haven: Helping Abuse Victims and Enhancing Protections,” which included several pieces of critical legislation designed to help victims of domestic violence.

“Sadly, domestic violence is an ever-present issue for the youth, individuals and families across the state. As lawmakers, protecting New Yorkers is paramount. The legislative solutions presented today would have helped mitigate the substantial impact of domestic violence,” said Assemblyman Joseph M. Giglio (R,C,I-Gowanda), task force chairman. “Our Conference will continue to advocate vigorously for measures that ensure domestic violence victims stay safe, have the support they need and abusers are held accountable.”