S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
4465
2011-2012 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
February 3, 2011
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Introduced by M. of A. DESTITO, CYMBROWITZ, COLTON, ROBINSON, LUPARDO --
Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COOK, FARRELL, GALEF, GOTTFRIED, MAYER-
SOHN, McENENY, MOLINARO, PAULIN, PHEFFER, P. RIVERA, SWEENEY, TOWNS --
read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing a
victims' assistance education program
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
1 Section 1. Section 621 of the executive law is amended by adding a new
2 subdivision 24 to read as follows:
3 24. "VICTIMS' ASSISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAM" SHALL MEAN AN EDUCATIONAL
4 PROGRAM TO DISSEMINATE INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE OR DEVELOP SKILLS THAT
5 WOULD ENHANCE OR AUGMENT SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF CRIME. SUCH PROGRAMS MAY
6 INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
7 (A) KNOWLEDGE OF MAJOR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS OF CRIME
8 VICTIMS;
9 (B) PRACTICAL SKILLS REQUIRED IN PROVIDING PERSONAL CARE AND SUPPORT
10 OF CRIME VICTIMS;
11 (C) STRESS AWARENESS AND METHODS OF DEALING WITH STRESS CAUSED BY A
12 CRIME AND CAUSED BY WORKING WITH VICTIMS OF CRIME; AND
13 (D) IDENTIFICATION AND UTILIZATION OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES, INCLUDING
14 ENTITLED BENEFIT, AND OTHER PROGRAMS OF ASSISTANCE.
15 S 2. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 623-a to
16 read as follows:
17 S 623-A. VICTIM ASSISTANCE EDUCATION. 1. THE BOARD SHALL SCHEDULE AND
18 COORDINATE AT LEAST TWO VICTIMS' ASSISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS ANNUALLY.
19 ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD SHALL PARTICIPATE IN AT LEAST ONE VICTIMS'
20 ASSISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAM WHICH IS IDENTIFIED EXCLUSIVELY FOR ATTEND-
21 ANCE BY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
22 2. THE BOARD SHALL REQUIRE THAT ALL PROFESSIONAL AND SUPPORT STAFF
23 PARTICIPATE IN AT LEAST ONE VICTIMS' ASSISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAM EVERY
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06149-01-1
A. 4465 2
1 TWO YEARS. UPON THE APPROVAL OF THE CHAIRMAN, A MEMBER OF THE BOARD MAY
2 ATTEND A SESSION DESIGNATED FOR PROFESSIONAL AND SUPPORT STAFF TO
3 FULFILL THE ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION IF
4 HE OR SHE WAS UNABLE TO ATTEND PROGRAMS DESIGNATED FOR BOARD MEMBERS.
5 3. THE BOARD SHALL ESTABLISH A VICTIMS' ASSISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAM
6 IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES. SUCH
7 PROGRAMS SHALL BE DELIVERED IN AN APPROPRIATE EDUCATIONAL FORMAT BY
8 INSTRUCTORS WHO ARE SUFFICIENTLY TRAINED TO PROVIDE THE EDUCATIONAL
9 OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM AND WILL PROVIDE MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE
10 BOARD AND VICTIMS' ASSISTANCE AGENCIES WITH THE MEANS TO EXPAND UPON
11 PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE WITH CURRENT AND EFFECTIVE TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOPED
12 THROUGH THE ONGOING RESEARCH IN THE RESPECTIVE FIELD OF STUDY.
13 4. VICTIMS' ASSISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS WILL BE DEVELOPED FOR AND
14 OFFERED TO POLICE AGENCIES, SHERIFF DEPARTMENTS, ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
15 JUDGES, DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICES, STATE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS SECURITY
16 OFFICERS, PROVIDERS OF VICTIM ASSISTANCE SERVICES AND ANY OTHER PERSON-
17 NEL WITH WHOM VICTIMS OF CRIME WILL INTERACT AS DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY
18 THE BOARD.
19 5. THE BOARD SHALL EVALUATE ANNUALLY THE USE AND IMPACT OF VICTIMS'
20 ASSISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS OFFERED AND REPORT ANY FINDINGS TO THE
21 GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE.
22 S 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
23 it shall have become a law; provided that the chairman of the crime
24 victims board shall promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to
25 implement this act prior to such effective date.