New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Senate Bill S03938

Introduced
1/30/25  
Refer
1/30/25  

Caption

Directs the office of victim services, in consultation with the office for the prevention of domestic violence, to establish a statewide supervised visitation initiative including culturally sensitive services that provide language access for those who need it and that are affordable for those with limited means to pay; requires the submission of regular assessments and reports.

Impact

One of the significant impacts of S03938 is its requirement for each county and New York City to provide annual assessments of local needs for supervised visitation services. These reports will inform state-level funding and support, ensuring that services are culturally sensitive, accessible, and affordable for families with limited means. Additionally, the bill allows for the possibility of contracting with private non-profits to enhance service delivery and accessibility, thereby addressing the varied requirements of different communities across the state.

Summary

Bill S03938 aims to establish a statewide supervised visitation initiative in New York designed to support safe and structured parenting time for families, especially in cases of family violence or mental health issues. The bill recognizes the crucial role that professionally supervised visitation programs play in fostering healthy family relationships and ensuring the welfare of children involved in legal proceedings related to custody and visitation. The legislation seeks to offer state support for the establishment of these programs in counties lacking such resources, while also expanding existing programs to meet growing needs.

Contention

While supporters of S03938 highlight its potential to enhance child safety and support families during challenging times, there may be concerns regarding the adequacy of funding and resources for implementing these programs uniformly across diverse counties. Some stakeholders might argue about the oversight and effectiveness of these new initiatives, questioning whether they can adequately meet the demands of all applicants. Moreover, addressing the language barriers and cultural sensibilities in the services offered poses another layer of complexity that will require careful planning and execution.

Companion Bills

NY A00065

Same As Directs the office of victim services, in consultation with the office for the prevention of domestic violence, to establish a statewide supervised visitation initiative including culturally sensitive services that provide language access for those who need it and that are affordable for those with limited means to pay; requires the submission of regular assessments and reports.

Previously Filed As

NY S08661

Directs the office of children and family services, in consultation with the office for the prevention of domestic violence, to establish a statewide supervised visitation initiative including culturally sensitive services that provide language access for those who need it and that are affordable for those with limited means to pay; requires the submission of regular assessments and reports.

NY A10521

Directs the office of children and family services, in consultation with the office for the prevention of domestic violence, to establish a statewide supervised visitation initiative including culturally sensitive services that provide language access for those who need it and that are affordable for those with limited means to pay; requires the submission of regular assessments and reports.

NY S05691

Enacts the "Lydia Peikon Cotz act"; provides domestic violence victims and crime victims with supervision while taking depositions; directs the court to provide a secure location within the courthouse, and a court officer, for such persons taking depositions.

NY A04971

Directs the commissioner of the office of mental health and the director of the state office for the aging shall establish a mental home health services program for the aging to facilitate access to mental home health services to respond to identified mental health needs, including those needs that may have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic, and for the aging or families that may not have access to mental health professionals in-person; makes related provisions.

NY S07814

Directs the commissioner of the office of mental health and the director of the state office for the aging shall establish a mental home health services program for the aging to facilitate access to mental home health services to respond to identified mental health needs, including those needs that may have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic, and for the aging or families that may not have access to mental health professionals in-person; makes related provisions.

NY S04443

Directs the office for the prevention of domestic violence to facilitate the establishment of five crime victim and trauma survivor recovery centers throughout the state to help individuals who have experienced violent crime, including individuals who suffered gunshot wounds, as well as victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, human trafficking, and hate crimes, and those who had a family member assaulted or killed, free of charge.

NY A05504

Relates to services for victims of domestic violence; provides that the department of social services shall ensure there is sufficient access to domestic violence services in every county; eliminates per diem reimbursement rates for domestic violence programs.

NY S04359

Relates to the treatment of domestic violence victims and documentation of injury and evidence; provides the type of evidence to be collected and maintained; provides that the office of victim services shall cover the costs of the domestic violence forensic exam; makes related provisions.

NY A06097

Relates to the treatment of domestic violence victims and documentation of injury and evidence; provides the type of evidence to be collected and maintained; provides that the office of victim services shall cover the costs of the domestic violence forensic exam; makes related provisions.

NY A06399

Provides that the sentence for committing murder in the first degree when the victim is a police officer, peace officer or correction officer shall be either death or life imprisonment without parole.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.