Bill Text: NY A05364 | 2013-2014 | General Assembly | Introduced


Bill Title: Prohibits disclosure of immigration status for victims of domestic violence; adds enhanced penalties for coercive threats to expose immigration status of victims and witnesses of domestic violence.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 26-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-01-08 - referred to codes [A05364 Detail]

Download: New_York-2013-A05364-Introduced.html
                           S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
       ________________________________________________________________________
                                         5364
                              2013-2014 Regular Sessions
                                 I N  A S S E M B L Y
                                   February 25, 2013
                                      ___________
       Introduced  by M. of A. ROZIC -- read once and referred to the Committee
         on Codes
       AN ACT to amend the criminal procedure law, the social services law, the
         family court act, the penal law and the executive law, in relation  to
         maintaining  the  confidentiality of immigration status for victims of
         domestic violence
         THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
       BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
    1    Section  1.  Short  title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
    2  "The New York State Violence Against Women Act".
    3    S 2. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (b) and paragraph (c) of  subdivi-
    4  sion  4  of  section  140.10 of the criminal procedure law, subparagraph
    5  (ii) of paragraph (b) as amended by chapter 107 of the laws of 2004  and
    6  paragraph  (c)  as amended by chapter 4 of the laws of 1997, are amended
    7  to read as follows:
    8    (ii) The respondent or defendant commits a family offense  as  defined
    9  in  subdivision  one of section eight hundred twelve of the family court
   10  act or subdivision one of section 530.11 of this chapter in violation of
   11  such order of protection or special order of  conditions.    AN  OFFICER
   12  MAKING  AN  ARREST  UNDER  THIS SUBPARAGRAPH SHALL NOT INQUIRE AS TO THE
   13  IMMIGRATION STATUS OF THE PERSON FOR WHOM THE ORDER PROTECTS.   IF  SUCH
   14  STATUS  IS  ASCERTAINED  AND  WOULD RESULT IN ADVERSE IMMIGRATION CONSE-
   15  QUENCES TO SUCH PERSON, THE OFFICER SHALL NOT REPORT SUCH INFORMATION TO
   16  ANY LOCAL, STATE OR FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.
   17    (c) a misdemeanor constituting  a  family  offense,  as  described  in
   18  subdivision  one  of  section  530.11  of this chapter and section eight
   19  hundred twelve of the family court  act,  has  been  committed  by  such
   20  person  against  such  family  or  household  member,  unless the victim
   21  requests otherwise. The officer shall neither inquire as to whether  the
   22  victim  seeks  an  arrest  of such person nor threaten the arrest of any
   23  person for the purpose of discouraging requests for police intervention.
        EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                             [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                  LBD03020-01-3
       A. 5364                             2
    1  THE OFFICER SHALL ALSO NOT INQUIRE AS TO THE IMMIGRATION STATUS  OF  THE
    2  VICTIM;  NOR SHALL SUCH OFFICER, IF INFORMED OF SUCH STATUS, REPORT SUCH
    3  INFORMATION TO ANY LOCAL,  STATE  OR  FEDERAL  LAW  ENFORCEMENT  AGENCY.
    4  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing, when an officer has reasonable cause to
    5  believe that more than one family or household member has committed such
    6  a misdemeanor, the officer is not required to arrest each  such  person.
    7  In  such circumstances, the officer shall attempt to identify and arrest
    8  the primary physical aggressor after considering:  (i)  the  comparative
    9  extent of any injuries inflicted by and between the parties; (ii) wheth-
   10  er  any such person is threatening or has threatened future harm against
   11  another party or another family or household member; (iii)  whether  any
   12  such  person  has  a prior history of domestic violence that the officer
   13  can reasonably ascertain; and (iv) whether any such person acted  defen-
   14  sively  to  protect  himself  or  herself from injury. The officer shall
   15  evaluate each complaint separately to determine who is the primary phys-
   16  ical aggressor and shall not base the  decision  to  arrest  or  not  to
   17  arrest  on  the  willingness of a person to testify or otherwise partic-
   18  ipate in a judicial proceeding.
   19    S 3.  Subdivision 2 of section 530.11 of the criminal procedure law is
   20  amended by adding a new paragraph (j) to read as follows:
   21    (J) THAT ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THE PETITIONER'S IMMIGRATION STATUS
   22  SHALL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL AND WILL NOT BE REFERRED OR REPORTED  TO  ANY
   23  LOCAL, STATE OR FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.
   24    S  4.    The criminal procedure law is amended by adding a new section
   25  2.25 to read as follows:
   26  S 2.25 PROHIBITIONS ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND PEACE OFFICERS.
   27    A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OF THE STATE OR A  POLITICAL  SUBDIVISION  OF
   28  THE  STATE  OR  A PEACE OFFICER MAY NOT INQUIRE AS TO THE NATIONALITY OR
   29  IMMIGRATION STATUS OF A VICTIM OF OR WITNESS TO  DOMESTIC  VIOLENCE,  AS
   30  SUCH  TERMS  ARE  DEFINED  BY  SECTION  FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY-NINE-A OF THE
   31  SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, EXCEPT AS NECESSARY TO INVESTIGATE THE OFFENSE, NOR
   32  SHALL SUCH OFFICER REPORT OR REFER SUCH STATUS TO ANY  LOCAL,  STATE  OR
   33  FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.
   34    S  5.  Section 459-h of the social services law is amended by adding a
   35  new subdivision 3 to read as follows:
   36    3.  ALL INFORMATION RELATED TO A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC  VIOLENCE'S  IMMI-
   37  GRATION STATUS SHALL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL AND SHALL NOT BE DISCLOSED FOR
   38  ANY  PURPOSE, INCLUDING SUCH INVESTIGATIONS THAT MAY BE CONDUCTED BY ANY
   39  LOCAL, STATE OR FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY RELATING TO SAID INDIVID-
   40  UAL'S IMMIGRATION STATUS.
   41    S 6. Subdivision 2 of section 812 of the family court act  is  amended
   42  by adding a new paragraph (h) to read as follows:
   43    (H) THAT ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THE PETITIONER'S IMMIGRATION STATUS
   44  SHALL  BE  KEPT CONFIDENTIAL AND WILL NOT BE REFERRED OR REPORTED TO ANY
   45  LOCAL, STATE OR FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.
   46    S 7. The penal law is amended by adding a new section 70.11 to read as
   47  follows:
   48  S 70.11 SENTENCES OF IMPRISONMENT  FOR  DOMESTIC  VIOLENCE;  AGGRAVATING
   49            FACTORS.
   50    IN  MATTERS  DIVESTED  TO A CRIMINAL COURT UNDER SECTION EIGHT HUNDRED
   51  TWELVE OF THE FAMILY COURT ACT, OR WHERE SUCH COURT EXERCISES CONCURRENT
   52  JURISDICTION UNDER SUCH SECTION AND IN MATTERS REFERRED  TO  A  CRIMINAL
   53  COURT UNDER ARTICLE SIX-A OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, WHERE THE RESPOND-
   54  ENT  THREATENS  TO  EXPOSE A WITNESS OR A VICTIM'S IMMIGRATION STATUS IN
   55  ORDER TO COERCE SUCH VICTIM OR WITNESS OR CONCEAL  SUCH  OFFENSE,  SHALL
   56  RESULT IN THE FOLLOWING ENHANCEMENT OF SUCH SENTENCE:
       A. 5364                             3
    1    (A)  FOR  OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 120.00 OF THIS CHAPTER, THE
    2  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS E FELONY;
    3    (B)  FOR  OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 120.05 OF THIS CHAPTER, THE
    4  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS C FELONY;
    5    (C) FOR OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 120.10 OF THIS  CHAPTER,  THE
    6  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS A FELONY;
    7    (D)  FOR  OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 120.13 OF THIS CHAPTER, THE
    8  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS D FELONY;
    9    (E) FOR OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 120.14 OF THIS  CHAPTER,  THE
   10  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS E FELONY;
   11    (F)  FOR  OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 120.15 OF THIS CHAPTER, THE
   12  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR;
   13    (G) FOR OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 120.20 OF THIS  CHAPTER,  THE
   14  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS E FELONY;
   15    (H)  FOR  OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 120.25 OF THIS CHAPTER, THE
   16  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS C FELONY;
   17    (I) FOR OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 120.45 OF THIS  CHAPTER,  THE
   18  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR;
   19    (J)  FOR  OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 120.50 OF THIS CHAPTER, THE
   20  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS E FELONY;
   21    (K) FOR OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 120.55 OF THIS  CHAPTER,  THE
   22  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS D FELONY;
   23    (L)  FOR  OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 120.60 OF THIS CHAPTER, THE
   24  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS C FELONY;
   25    (M) FOR OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 121.11 OF THIS  CHAPTER,  THE
   26  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS E FELONY;
   27    (N)  FOR  OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 121.12 OF THIS CHAPTER, THE
   28  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS C FELONY;
   29    (O) FOR OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 121.13 OF THIS  CHAPTER,  THE
   30  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS B FELONY;
   31    (P)  FOR  OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 130.25 OF THIS CHAPTER, THE
   32  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS D FELONY;
   33    (Q) FOR OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 130.30 OF THIS  CHAPTER,  THE
   34  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS C FELONY;
   35    (R)  FOR  OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 130.35 OF THIS CHAPTER, THE
   36  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS A FELONY;
   37    (S) FOR OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 130.40 OF THIS  CHAPTER,  THE
   38  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS D FELONY;
   39    (T)  FOR  OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 130.45 OF THIS CHAPTER, THE
   40  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS C FELONY;
   41    (U) FOR OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 130.50 OF THIS  CHAPTER,  THE
   42  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS A FELONY;
   43    (V)  FOR  OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 130.55 OF THIS CHAPTER, THE
   44  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR;
   45    (W) FOR OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 130.60 OF THIS  CHAPTER,  THE
   46  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS E FELONY;
   47    (X)  FOR  OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 130.65 OF THIS CHAPTER, THE
   48  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS C FELONY;
   49    (Y) FOR OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 130.65-A OF THIS CHAPTER, THE
   50  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS D FELONY;
   51    (Z) FOR OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 130.66 OF THIS  CHAPTER,  THE
   52  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS C FELONY;
   53    (AA)  FOR OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 130.67 OF THIS CHAPTER, THE
   54  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS B FELONY;
   55    (BB) FOR OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 130.70 OF THIS CHAPTER,  THE
   56  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS A FELONY;
       A. 5364                             4
    1    (CC)  FOR OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 135.05 OF THIS CHAPTER, THE
    2  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS E FELONY;
    3    (DD)  FOR OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 135.10 OF THIS CHAPTER, THE
    4  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS D FELONY;
    5    (EE) FOR OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 135.20 OF THIS CHAPTER,  THE
    6  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS A FELONY;
    7    (FF)  FOR OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 135.45 OF THIS CHAPTER, THE
    8  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS E FELONY;
    9    (GG) FOR OFFENSES COMMITTED UNDER SECTION 135.50 OF THIS CHAPTER,  THE
   10  SENTENCE SHALL REFLECT A CLASS D FELONY.
   11    S  8. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 844 to read
   12  as follows:
   13    S 844. INQUIRY INTO IMMIGRATION STATUS PROHIBITED IN  CERTAIN  CIRCUM-
   14  STANCES.  IN  CONDUCTING  AN INVESTIGATORY ACTIVITY, INCLUDING AN INTER-
   15  VIEW, INTO ANY INCIDENT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN
   16  ARTICLE SIX-A OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR  A
   17  LAW  ENFORCEMENT  OFFICIAL  SHALL  NOT  INQUIRE ABOUT OR SEEK PROOF OF A
   18  PERSON'S IMMIGRATION STATUS, NOR SHALL SUCH OFFICER, IF INFORMED OF SUCH
   19  STATUS, REFER OR REPORT ANY FINDINGS REGARDING SUCH STATUS TO ANY LOCAL,
   20  STATE OR FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.  ANY  INFORMATION  OBTAINED  IN
   21  SUCH  INVESTIGATORY  ACTIVITY  REGARDING  A  PERSON'S IMMIGRATION STATUS
   22  SHALL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL.
   23    S 9. This act shall take effect immediately, provided that the  amend-
   24  ments  to  subdivision 4 of section 140.10 of the criminal procedure law
   25  made by section two of this act shall not  affect  the  repeal  of  such
   26  subdivision and shall be deemed repealed therewith.
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