Serino Champions Law to Protect Victims of Sexual Assault

SERINO CHAMPIONS LAW TO PROTECT VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

Bill to Extend Duration of Orders of Protection Passes Both Houses

ALBANY—Senator Sue Serino (R, C, I—Hyde Park) today announced that her bill to strengthen protections for victims of sexual assault has passed the Senate and will now head to the Governor’s office to be signed into law.

“I came to Albany to make a difference,” said Senator Serino. “Too often victims of sexual assault choose not to report crimes against them for fear of retaliation and an inherent distrust in a system that often leaves them vulnerable to repeat offense.  

We have a responsibility to ensure that the law offers them the highest level of protection and I am proud to champion legislation that will make a real, tangible difference in the lives of individuals who have been victimized by sexual assault.”

In 2006, the criminal procedure law was amended to extend the allowable duration of a final order of protection issued in criminal cases. However, the amendments did not account fully for longer probation periods required by law for misdemeanor and felony sexual assault convictions.  

Currently, when a final order of protection is issued on a sexual assault conviction where probation is imposed, the order will expire before the defendant has completed probation, leaving the victim vulnerable and without the necessary legal line of defense against their assailant.

Senator Serino’s bill (S. 4340B) would fill this gaping hole in the law by amending it to provide that the duration of a final order of protection lasts throughout the extent of the offender’s probation.

“At a time when sexual assault is making headlines across the country, it’s clear that we need to be doing all that we can to make sure our system works and provides real protections for victims,” said Senator Serino. “This commonsense legislation is a major step in the right direction.”  

The bill passed in Assembly earlier this year where it is sponsored by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and will now be sent to the Governor’s office to be signed into law.

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