Senate Bill S3018

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  3018

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                              March 9, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sen. VALESKY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
  printed to be committed to the Committee on Crime Victims,  Crime  and
  Correction

AN  ACT  to  amend  the  executive  law,  in  relation to establishing a
  victims' assistance education program

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. Section 621 of the executive law is amended by adding a new
subdivision 24 to read as follows:
  24.  "VICTIMS' ASSISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAM" SHALL MEAN AN EDUCATIONAL
PROGRAM TO DISSEMINATE INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE OR DEVELOP SKILLS  THAT
WOULD ENHANCE OR AUGMENT SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF CRIME. SUCH PROGRAMS MAY
INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
  (A)  KNOWLEDGE  OF  MAJOR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS OF CRIME
VICTIMS;
  (B) PRACTICAL SKILLS REQUIRED IN PROVIDING PERSONAL CARE  AND  SUPPORT
OF CRIME VICTIMS;
  (C)  STRESS  AWARENESS  AND METHODS OF DEALING WITH STRESS CAUSED BY A
CRIME AND CAUSED BY WORKING WITH VICTIMS OF CRIME; AND
  (D) IDENTIFICATION AND UTILIZATION OF AVAILABLE  RESOURCES,  INCLUDING
ENTITLED BENEFIT, AND OTHER PROGRAMS OF ASSISTANCE.
  S  2.  The  executive  law is amended by adding a new section 623-a to
read as follows:
  S 623-A. VICTIM ASSISTANCE EDUCATION. 1. THE BOARD SHALL SCHEDULE  AND
COORDINATE AT LEAST TWO VICTIMS' ASSISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS ANNUALLY.
ALL  MEMBERS  OF  THE  BOARD  SHALL PARTICIPATE IN AT LEAST ONE VICTIMS'
ASSISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAM WHICH IS IDENTIFIED EXCLUSIVELY FOR ATTEND-
ANCE BY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
  2. THE BOARD SHALL REQUIRE THAT ALL  PROFESSIONAL  AND  SUPPORT  STAFF
PARTICIPATE  IN AT LEAST ONE VICTIMS' ASSISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAM EVERY
TWO YEARS. UPON THE APPROVAL OF THE CHAIRMAN, A MEMBER OF THE BOARD  MAY

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD03310-01-9
              

S. 3018                             2

ATTEND  A  SESSION  DESIGNATED  FOR  PROFESSIONAL  AND  SUPPORT STAFF TO
FULFILL THE ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION IF
HE OR SHE WAS UNABLE TO ATTEND PROGRAMS DESIGNATED FOR BOARD MEMBERS.
  3.  THE  BOARD SHALL ESTABLISH A VICTIMS' ASSISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAM
IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES.    SUCH
PROGRAMS  SHALL  BE  DELIVERED  IN  AN APPROPRIATE EDUCATIONAL FORMAT BY
INSTRUCTORS WHO ARE SUFFICIENTLY  TRAINED  TO  PROVIDE  THE  EDUCATIONAL
OBJECTIVES  OF THE PROGRAM AND WILL PROVIDE MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE
BOARD AND VICTIMS' ASSISTANCE AGENCIES WITH THE  MEANS  TO  EXPAND  UPON
PRACTICAL  EXPERIENCE  WITH CURRENT AND EFFECTIVE TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOPED
THROUGH THE ONGOING RESEARCH IN THE RESPECTIVE FIELD OF STUDY.
  4. VICTIMS' ASSISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS WILL BE  DEVELOPED  FOR  AND
OFFERED  TO  POLICE  AGENCIES,  SHERIFF  DEPARTMENTS, ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
JUDGES, DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICES,  STATE  UNIVERSITY  CAMPUS  SECURITY
OFFICERS,  PROVIDERS OF VICTIM ASSISTANCE SERVICES AND ANY OTHER PERSON-
NEL WITH WHOM VICTIMS OF CRIME WILL INTERACT AS  DEEMED  APPROPRIATE  BY
THE BOARD.
  5.  THE  BOARD  SHALL EVALUATE ANNUALLY THE USE AND IMPACT OF VICTIMS'
ASSISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS OFFERED AND REPORT  ANY  FINDINGS  TO  THE
GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE.
  S 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
it  shall  have  become  a  law; provided that the chairman of the crime
victims board shall promulgate any rules and  regulations  necessary  to
implement this act prior to such effective date.