This bill asks the Governor of New York to officially recognize April 19-25, 2026, as Crime Victims' Rights Week. The resolution does not change any laws or create new programs; instead, it serves to raise public awareness about the rights and needs of crime victims during that specific week. By aligning the state observance with the national event, the bill highlights the importance of supporting victims across various types of crimes and demographics. Ultimately, the measure is a symbolic gesture intended to honor the contributions of victim service providers and to promote compassion for those affected by crime.
Requires the office of victim assistance to notify crime victims of the availability of victim support services by providing such victims with a written notice of the availability of statewide programs.
Relates to the rights of sexual assault survivors during the investigative process; establishes a task force to study and assess sexual assault survivors' rights and services.
Relates to claims for unjust conviction and imprisonment and the availability of certain benefits and entitlements to exonerees; allows for sealing of records, payment of awards and payment of attorney's fees; repeals certain provisions relating thereto.
This bill asks the Governor to officially recognize April 19-25, 2026, as Crime Victims' Rights Week in New York State. The resolution aligns with the national observance and aims to raise awareness about the rights and needs of crime victims across the state. It does not change any laws or create new programs, but rather serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of victim support services and the ongoing work to ensure justice for those affected by crime.
Provides that companion animals, as sentient beings, shall be considered victims of animal cruelty crimes, including but not limited to all offenses as defined in article twenty-six of the agriculture and markets law, and shall be treated as such in a court of law.
Enacts the "crash victims bill of rights"; requires accident reports to be delivered to victims of accidents or their next of kin; requires victim impact statements to be delivered at traffic infraction hearings by injured parties or their next of kin; requires employers to grant leave of absence to employees delivering a victim impact statement at a traffic infraction hearing; directs the superintendent of financial services to conduct a study and complete a report on certain automobile crash information.
Enacts the Voices of Immigrant Communities Empowering Survivors (VOICES) Act which provides certification to certain immigrant victims of qualifying criminal activity.
Establishes the division of the crime victims' statewide advocate to represent crime victims' and witnesses' legal interests during discovery and trial and assist with victim compensation applications.
Requires the office of victim services to immediately take such actions as are necessary to avoid the wasting of the assets until the expiration of all applicable statutes of limitation for a crime victim to bring a civil action to recover money or damages from such assets.