Relates to notification of crime victims of the death of the accused

• Democratic14
• Republican3

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Jamaal Bailey says this is needed

There is an ongoing notification gap regarding the status of individuals who have an order of protection against them. New York State has imple- mented an initiative known as VINE (Victim Information and Notification Every Day), a free, anonymous and confidential telephone and web-based system that allows crime victims to track the custody status of offen- ders in jail or prison. Notifications can be made by phone or email on the state prison custody level, release, death, or escape. However, this program only operates if the victim requests to receive information. In a report done by the NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision in 2011, there was an increase in the number of notifications delivered by 38 percent, emphasizing the interest of victims wanting to receive VINE notifications. Opt-in notifications have served as a barrier for victims, who may not be aware of this initi- ative. This bill would implement opt-out measures for VINE to expand access to crucial notifications to all victims without registration requirements. According to the New York Domestic Violence Registry, the number of protection orders issued in New York State increased by 10 percent in 2023 compared to 2022. Orders of protection play a crucial role in domestic violence cases, serving as a protection against unwanted or unsafe contact. VINE provides updates regarding incarcerated individuals and excludes individuals with orders of protection for a respondent not incarcerated. By notifying the protected individual about important notifications such as the death of the accuser, we are closing the notification gap. This bill would require the Department of Health to send monthly reports to the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Office of Victims Assistance and the Division of Criminal Justice Services, so all victims have access to this information. As all victims should be notified when an order of protection is no longer in effect, whether the accuser is incarcerated or not.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.