Working to Protect Domestic Violence Victims

Carrozza supported numerous bills that address domestic violence, including legislation that:

• helps protect victims by revoking the firearm rights of anyone who has violated an order of protection (A.3337, passed Assembly)
• provides additional protection for stalking victims and more stringent guidelines for getting stalkers off the street – allowing a victim to get an order of protection against a defendant who has been found not guilty of the crime due to mental disease or defect and requiring an accused stalker who enters an insanity plea to be confined to an appropriate treatment facility (Chap. 525 of 2003)

Strengthening Sexual Assault Laws

The Assembly, Senate and governor recently reached agreement on a new law that will give greater protections to victims of sexual assault by strengthening the Sexual Assault Reform Act of 2000 (Chap. 264 of 2003).

The bill creates a Sexual Assault Forensic Payment Program so that victims coping with the trauma of an assault won’t have to deal with insurance paperwork. Additionally, this bill provides direct payment to health care providers so they can keep offering critical services.

The bill also:

• expands Megan’s Law by requiring registration of more convicted sex offenders
• offers greater protection against date rape drugs by increasing penalties for knowingly administering a prescription drug to incapacitate someone, and then committing a sexual assault
• strengthens the statutes dealing with forcible touching and persistent sexual abuse
• eliminates circumstances under which a defendant could inappropriately use marriage as a defense against rape or other sexual assault charges

Protecting Your Privacy

Carrozza supported the "video voyeurism" law to help prevent high-tech peeping toms from exploiting unwitting victims (Chap. 69 of 2003).

The law will make photographic or video voyeurism a felony punishable by up to four years imprisonment; and up to seven years imprisonment for a second offense. Offenders will be required to register as sex offenders under Megan’s Law. The law will also make any other transfer, sale or publication of an image known to have been obtained unlawfully punishable by jail time.

Assemblywoman
Ann-Margaret Carrozza

33-17 Francis Lewis Blvd.
Bayside, NY 11358
718-321-1525
carroza@assembly.state.ny.us