There were a number of bills pertaining to public safety that passed the Assembly recently that I was happy to support. I wanted to share a short explanation of these bills in this week’s column. If passed by the Senate and signed by the Governor into law, they will improve public safety and close some important loopholes.

(A2349) Establishes further instruction for police officers who respond to sexual violence. Advocates continue to express a need for more expertise in instances where intimate partners are perpetrators of sexual violence. This bill addresses these concerns, and authorizes the Municipal Police Training Council to develop and disseminate policies and procedures regarding investigation and intervention by police officers in sexual assault crimes; it also amends the judiciary law, in relation to providing similar training for judges and justices.

(A6611) Allows nonpublic schools to contract with BOCES to process pupil personnel records. This bill also has passed the Senate.

(A788) Provides that sexual contact with a person under the age of 13 by a person 18 years of age or older shall be sexual abuse in the first degree. This has passed the Senate. Specifically, this bill expands the class D violent felony crime of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree to include a person 18 years of age or older who subjects a person less than 13 to sexual contact, thereby increasing the penalty for sexual abuse of children who are 11 and 12 years old from a class A misdemeanor to a class D violent felony.

(A2942) Provides that in any action commenced under the state’s Anti-Trust law, the court may direct that all or any part of a criminal fine or civil penalty imposed upon a violator may, in the court’s discretion, be ordered to be deposited with the Office of Victim Services, formerly known as the Crime Victims Board.

(A3457) Seeks to better protect victims of false financing statements filed against them.

(A6800) Amends current law to extend the interagency task force on human trafficking for two years. The task force is scheduled to sunset in September. The task force collects and organizes data pertaining to human trafficking. It also works with other agencies to further prevent human trafficking, protect victims, and prosecute traffickers.

Another bill that I am the prime sponsor of is A4225. This legislation, if enacted, would provide for the decertification of a teacher convicted of a felony. This bill was referred to the education committee in the Assembly.

I am hopeful that these bills, if signed into law, will provide a greater sense of public safety and improve justice for victims and their families.

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