NY State Senate Bill 2025-S9257

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Crime Victims, Crime And Correction Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Date of Action	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Feb 19, 2026	referred to crime victims, crime and correction

2025-S9257 (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A10404
Current Committee:: Senate Crime Victims, Crime And Correction
Law Section:: Executive Law
Laws Affected:: Add §642-b, Exec L; rpld §483-dd, Soc Serv L

2025-S9257 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Enacts the Voices of Immigrant Communities Empowering Survivors (VOICES) Act which provides certification to certain immigrant victims of qualifying criminal activity.

2025-S9257 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S9257

SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to enacting the voices of
immigrant communities empowering survivors (VOICES) act which provides
certification to certain immigrant victims of qualifying criminal activ-
ity; and to repeal section 483-dd of the social services law relating to
law enforcement assistance with respect to immigration

 
PURPOSE:

Streamlines the process and timeline for victims of qualifying crimes to
apply for and receive U and T visas, and assists law enforcement in
better identifying, solving, and pursuing criminal cases related to such
aforementioned qualifying crimes.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Voices of 2
Immigrant Communities Empowering Survivors (VOICES) Act."

Section 2: Amends the executive law by adding a new section 642-b to
create definitions for a certification form, entity, official, petition-
er, human trafficking, and qualifying criminal activity; establishes
guidelines for certifying officials to complete a certification form and
to determine helpfulness of a victim; establishes who may petition for
the completion of a certification form; creates a timeline for which a
certifying entity or official must respond to requests for the
completion of a certification form; creates an appeal process for peti-
tioners in the event of certification denial; establishes immunity for a
certifying official from civil and criminal liability; prohibits a
certifying entity or official from disclosing the immigration status of
a victim or petitioner, except in certain circumstances; Prohibits
disclosure of documents submitted with a request for certification,
except in certain circumstances; establishes that a petitioner submit-
ting a USCIS Form 1-918, Supplement B or USCIS Form 1-914, Supplement B
does not have to be present in the United States at the time of filing;
establishes that a certifying entity's inability to communicate with a
victim due to the victim's language is not a refusal or failure to
provide assistance; requires that certifying entities submit a yearly
report to the attorney general regarding certification requests received
by the entity; requires the attorney general to develop a comprehensive
report of the total number of certification requests received, granted,
and denied from all entities; requires the comprehensive report to be
made public and presented to the speaker of the Assembly, temporary
president of the Senate, and the Governor; establishes that a certifying
entity or official may certify a Form 1-918, Supplement B, or a Form
1-914, Supplement B certification for direct victims, indirect victims,
and bystander or witness victims; and, establishes that this section
does not reduce the rights or privileges of any immigrant victim under
any other section of law.

Section 3: Amends Article 10D of the Social Services Law by repealing
Section 483-dd.

Section 4: Sets effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

U and T non-immigrant visas are granted to noncitizens who are victims
of serious crimes as prescribed by § 214.14 of the Code of Federal Regu-
lations. T visas are granted to non-immigrant victims who have suffered
from the crime of sex trafficking. U visas are granted to non-immigrant
victims of similarly serious crimes, such as domestic abuse, abduction,
torture, blackmail, false imprisonment, hostage, and incest, among
others. In both cases, these visas grant residency to qualifying victims
for up to four years.

Due to the severity of the qualifying crimes listed for both U and T
visas, it is important to ensure that the process of applying for a
certification form, which is a necessary component of both visa applica-
tions, is streamlined such that both victims and active crimes are not
being overlooked or dismissed. If more qualifying victims are certified
for not only crimes they suffered, but also their likely helpfulness in
pursuing investigations related to the crime itself, the result does
more than support those victims. A more efficient certification process
also supports law enforcement in more effectively pursuing and solving
criminal cases related to crimes of sex trafficking, abduction, rape,
incest, etc.

At this time, more than 20 other states have similar laws in place.
Considering that New York alone approved nearly 12 percent of the total
number of just T visa holders in the United States in 2022, it is all
the more necessary that the State be on the frontlines of not only
protecting current qualifying victims, but furthermore preventing the
rise of future victims of egregious crimes.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New Bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have
become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of
this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed
on or before such effective date.

2025-S9257 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   9257
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             February 19, 2026
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen. SKOUFIS -- 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 enacting the voices of
   immigrant communities empowering survivors (VOICES) act which provides
   certification  to  certain  immigrant  victims  of qualifying criminal
   activity; and to repeal section 483-dd  of  the  social  services  law
   relating to law enforcement assistance with respect to immigration
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Voices  of
 Immigrant Communities Empowering Survivors (VOICES) Act".
   §  2.  The  executive  law is amended by adding a new section 642-b to
 read as follows:
   § 642-B. IMMIGRANT VICTIM; CERTIFICATION. 1. FOR THE PURPOSES OF  THIS
 SECTION, THE TERM:
   (A)  "CERTIFICATION  FORM"  MEANS  A  LAW ENFORCEMENT CERTIFICATION OR
 DECLARATION AS ESTABLISHED BY FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAW CERTIFYING THAT  A
 PERSON  IS A VICTIM OF QUALIFYING CRIMINAL ACTIVITY OR HUMAN TRAFFICKING
 INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED  TO,  THE  INFORMATION  REQUIRED  BY  SECTION
 1184(P)  OF  TITLE 8 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE, INCLUDING CURRENT UNITED
 STATES CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES FORM I-918, SUPPLEMENT B, OR
 ANY SUCCESSOR FORM FOR PURPOSES OF OBTAINING U NONIMMIGRANT STATUS OR BY
 SECTION 1184(O) OF TITLE 8 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE, INCLUDING  CURRENT
 UNITED  STATES  CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES FORM I-914, SUPPLE-
 MENT B, OR ANY SUCCESSOR FORM FOR PURPOSES OF OBTAINING  T  NONIMMIGRANT
 STATUS.
   (B) "CERTIFYING ENTITY" MEANS:
   (I) A STATE OR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY;
   (II) A PROSECUTOR'S OR DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE;
   (III)  THE  OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION, WHERE THE CERTIFYING OFFI-
 CIAL IS A JUDGE;
   (IV) THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF A STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK OR A CITY
 UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK; OR
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD14588-04-6
 S. 9257                             2
 
   (V) ANY OTHER ENTITY OR AUTHORITY  THAT  HAS  RESPONSIBILITY  FOR  THE
 DETECTION  OR,  INVESTIGATION  OR  PROSECUTION  OF A QUALIFYING CRIME OR
 CRIMINAL ACTIVITY; AND
   (VI)  ENTITIES THAT HAVE CRIMINAL DETECTION OR INVESTIGATIVE JURISDIC-
 TION IN THEIR RESPECTIVE AREAS OF EXPERTISE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT  LIMITED
 TO,  CHILD  PROTECTIVE  SERVICES,  THE DIVISION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, AND THE
 DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.
   (C) "CERTIFYING OFFICIAL" MEANS:
   (I) THE HEAD OF A CERTIFYING ENTITY;
   (II) A PERSON IN A SUPERVISORY ROLE WHO HAS  BEEN  DESIGNATED  BY  THE
 HEAD  OF  A CERTIFYING ENTITY TO ISSUE CERTIFICATIONS UNDER THIS SECTION
 ON BEHALF OF SUCH ENTITY;
   (III) A JUDGE; OR
   (IV) ANY OTHER CERTIFYING OFFICIAL DEFINED UNDER SECTION 214.14 (A)(3)
 OF TITLE 8 OF THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS.
   (D) "HUMAN TRAFFICKING" HAS THE SAME MEANING AS "SEVERE FORMS OF TRAF-
 FICKING IN PERSONS" PURSUANT TO SECTION 7102 OF TITLE 22 OF  THE  UNITED
 STATES CODE AND SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
   (I) SEX TRAFFICKING IN WHICH A COMMERCIAL SEX ACT IS INDUCED BY FORCE,
 FRAUD, OR COERCION, OR IN WHICH A PERSON INDUCED TO PERFORM SUCH ACT HAS
 NOT ATTAINED EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE;
   (II) THE RECRUITMENT, HARBORING, TRANSPORTATION, PROVISION, OR OBTAIN-
 ING  OF A PERSON FOR LABOR OR SERVICES, THROUGH THE USE OF FORCE, FRAUD,
 OR COERCION FOR THE PURPOSE  OF  SUBJECTION  TO  INVOLUNTARY  SERVITUDE,
 PEONAGE, DEBT BONDAGE, OR SLAVERY; AND
   (III)  CRIMINAL  OFFENSES  FOR  WHICH  THE  NATURE AND ELEMENTS OF THE
 OFFENSES ARE SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR TO THE CRIMINAL ACTIVITY DESCRIBED IN
 SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OR (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH, AND THE ATTEMPT, CONSPIRACY,
 OR SOLICITATION TO COMMIT ANY SUCH OFFENSES.
   (E) "PETITIONER" MEANS A PERSON REQUESTING  CERTIFICATION  UNDER  THIS
 SECTION SUCH AS A VICTIM OR A VICTIM'S REPRESENTATIVE, INCLUDING BUT NOT
 LIMITED  TO  THE  VICTIM'S  LICENSED  ATTORNEY  OR  REPRESENTATIVE FULLY
 ACCREDITED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, A FAMILY  MEMBER,
 OR CRIME VICTIM ADVOCATE.
   (F)  "REPRESENTATIVE  FULLY ACCREDITED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT
 OF JUSTICE" IS A PERSON WHO IS APPROVED BY THE UNITED STATES  DEPARTMENT
 OF  JUSTICE  TO  REPRESENT  INDIVIDUALS  BEFORE THE BOARD OF IMMIGRATION
 APPEALS, THE IMMIGRATION COURTS, OR THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.
 THE REPRESENTATIVE SHALL BE A PERSON WHO WORKS FOR A SPECIFIC NONPROFIT,
 RELIGIOUS, CHARITABLE, SOCIAL SERVICE, OR SIMILAR ORGANIZATION THAT  HAS
 BEEN  RECOGNIZED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO REPRESENT
 THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND WHOSE ACCREDITATION IS IN GOOD STANDING.
   (G) (I) "QUALIFYING CRIMINAL ACTIVITY" HAS THE MEANING GIVEN  TO  THAT
 TERM  IN  8  C.F.R. 214.14 AND SHALL INCLUDE, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, THE
 FOLLOWING  CRIMES:    RAPE;  TORTURE;  TRAFFICKING;   INCEST;   DOMESTIC
 VIOLENCE;  SEXUAL  ASSAULT; ABUSIVE SEXUAL CONTACT; PROSTITUTION; SEXUAL
 EXPLOITATION; FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION; BEING  HELD  HOSTAGE;  PEONAGE;
 INVOLUNTARY  SERVITUDE;  SLAVE  TRADE;  KIDNAPPING;  ABDUCTION; UNLAWFUL
 CRIMINAL   RESTRAINT;   FALSE   IMPRISONMENT;   BLACKMAIL;    EXTORTION;
 MANSLAUGHTER;  MURDER; FELONIOUS ASSAULT; WITNESS TAMPERING; OBSTRUCTION
 OF JUSTICE; PERJURY; ANY SIMILAR ACTIVITY; OR  ATTEMPT,  CONSPIRACY,  OR
 SOLICITATION TO COMMIT ANY SUCH CRIMES.
   (II)  THE  TERM  "ANY SIMILAR ACTIVITY" REFERS TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES IN
 WHICH THE NATURE AND ELEMENTS OF THE OFFENSES ARE SUBSTANTIALLY  SIMILAR
 TO THE STATUTORILY ENUMERATED LIST OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES.
 S. 9257                             3
 
   2.  (A)  UPON  THE  REQUEST  OF A VICTIM OR A PETITIONER, A CERTIFYING
 OFFICIAL SHALL, IN WRITING, CERTIFY THAT A VICTIM HAS BEEN HELPFUL ON  A
 CERTIFICATION FORM DESIGNATED BY THE UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP AND IMMI-
 GRATION SERVICES IF:
   (I)  THE  VICTIM  IS A VICTIM OF QUALIFYING CRIMINAL ACTIVITY OR HUMAN
 TRAFFICKING; AND
   (II) THE VICTIM HAS BEEN HELPFUL, IS BEING HELPFUL OR IS LIKELY TO  BE
 HELPFUL TO THE DETECTION OR INVESTIGATION OR PROSECUTION OF THE QUALIFY-
 ING CRIMINAL ACTIVITY OR HUMAN TRAFFICKING.  FOR PURPOSES OF DETERMINING
 VICTIM  HELPFULNESS,  THERE IS A REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION THAT A VICTIM IS
 HELPFUL, HAS BEEN HELPFUL OR IS LIKELY TO BE HELPFUL TO  THE  DETECTION,
 INVESTIGATION  OR PROSECUTION OF A QUALIFYING CRIMINAL ACTIVITY OR HUMAN
 TRAFFICKING IF THE VICTIM HAS NOT REFUSED  TO  PROVIDE  INFORMATION  AND
 ASSISTANCE  REASONABLY REQUESTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS. A CURRENT
 OR ONGOING INVESTIGATION, A PROSECUTION OR A CONVICTION IS NOT  REQUIRED
 FOR A CERTIFICATION UNDER THIS SECTION.
   (B)  A  CERTIFYING  OFFICIAL  PROCESSING  A  CERTIFICATION  UNDER THIS
 SECTION SHALL:
   (I) FULLY COMPLETE AND SIGN THE CERTIFICATION FORM;
   (II) INCLUDE IN THE FORM SPECIFIC DETAILS  ABOUT  THE  NATURE  OF  THE
 QUALIFYING  CRIMINAL ACTIVITY DETECTED OR INVESTIGATED OR PROSECUTED AND
 A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE VICTIM'S HELPFULNESS  OR  LIKELY  HELPFUL-
 NESS; AND
   (III) COMPLETE THE CERTIFICATION FORM AND PROVIDE IT TO THE PETITIONER
 WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF RECEIVING THE REQUEST, EXCEPT:
   (A) IF THE PETITIONER MAKING THE REQUEST FOR COMPLETION OF THE CERTIF-
 ICATION  FORM IS IN FEDERAL IMMIGRATION REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS OR DETAINED,
 THE CERTIFYING OFFICIAL SHALL COMPLETE  AND  PROVIDE  THE  CERTIFICATION
 FORM  TO  THE  PETITIONER  NO LATER THAN SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE REQUEST IS
 RECEIVED BY THE CERTIFYING OFFICIAL OR ENTITY; AND
   (B) IF THE CHILDREN, PARENTS, OR SIBLINGS OF THE VICTIM  WOULD  BECOME
 INELIGIBLE FOR BENEFITS UNDER SECTIONS 1184(P) AND 1184(O) OF TITLE 8 OF
 THE  UNITED  STATES CODE BY VIRTUE OF AGE, THE CERTIFYING OFFICIAL SHALL
 COMPLETE AND PROVIDE THE CERTIFICATION FORM TO THE PETITIONER  NO  LATER
 THAN SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE REQUEST IS RECEIVED BY THE CERTIFYING OFFICIAL
 OR ENTITY.
   3.  (A)  IF A CERTIFYING OFFICIAL OR ENTITY DENIES CERTIFICATION UNDER
 THIS SECTION, THE OFFICIAL OR ENTITY SHALL, IN WRITING, NOTIFY THE PETI-
 TIONER OF THE REASON FOR  THE  DENIAL.  THE  DENIAL  NOTIFICATION  SHALL
 INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
   (I) THE DATE OF THE DENIAL; AND
   (II)  THE  REASON  FOR  THE  DENIAL  CONSISTING OF AT LEAST ONE OF THE
 FOLLOWING:
   (A) LACK OF QUALIFYING CRIMINAL ACTIVITY OR HUMAN TRAFFICKING;
   (B) REFUSAL TO PROVIDE INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE REASONABLY  REQUESTED
 BY THE CERTIFYING ENTITY;
   (C) LACK OF JURISDICTION OVER THE CERTIFICATION REQUEST; OR
   (D)  OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES FOR WHICH A CERTIFYING OFFICIAL OR ENTITY MAY
 LAWFULLY DENY CERTIFICATION.
   (B) AFTER RECEIVING A DENIAL LETTER, THE PETITIONER MAY  SUBMIT  ADDI-
 TIONAL  EVIDENCE TO THE CERTIFYING OFFICIAL OR ENTITY. IF THE PETITIONER
 SUBMITS ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE, THE CERTIFYING  OFFICIAL  OR  ENTITY  SHALL
 RECONSIDER THE DENIAL NOT MORE THAN SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE DATE THE CERTI-
 FYING OFFICIAL OR ENTITY RECEIVES SUCH ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE.
   (C)  A  PETITIONER MAY SUBMIT A NEW REQUEST FOR CERTIFICATION, AFTER A
 PREVIOUS REQUEST IS DENIED, FROM THE  SAME  OR  A  DIFFERENT  CERTIFYING
 S. 9257                             4
 
 ENTITY  FOR PROCESSING, SO LONG AS THE CERTIFYING ENTITY WAS INVOLVED IN
 THE DETECTION OR INVESTIGATION OR PROSECUTION OF THE QUALIFYING CRIMINAL
 ACTIVITY OR HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
   (D)  A CERTIFYING OFFICIAL IS IMMUNE FROM CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY
 FOR, IN GOOD FAITH, CERTIFYING OR DENYING CERTIFICATION.
   4. (A) CERTIFYING ENTITIES AND  CERTIFYING  OFFICIALS  ARE  PROHIBITED
 FROM  DISCLOSING  THE IMMIGRATION STATUS OF A VICTIM OR OTHER PETITIONER
 UNLESS SUCH DISCLOSURE IS:
   (I) REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW OR LEGAL PROCESS; OR
   (II) AUTHORIZED BY THE VICTIM OR OTHER PETITIONER.
   (B) DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED WITH A REQUEST FOR  CERTIFICATION  UNDER  THIS
 SECTION  AND  ANY  WRITTEN  RESPONSE  TO  A CERTIFICATION REQUEST FROM A
 CERTIFYING  OFFICIAL  OR  ENTITY  ARE  CONFIDENTIAL  AND  SHALL  NOT  BE
 DISCLOSED UNLESS THE DISCLOSURE IS:
   (I) REQUIRED BY STATE OR FEDERAL LAW OR LEGAL PROCESS;
   (II) CONSTITUTIONALLY REQUIRED; OR
   (III) AUTHORIZED BY THE VICTIM.
   (C)  A PETITIONER SUBMITTING UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION
 SERVICES FORM I-918, SUPPLEMENT B OR UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP AND IMMI-
 GRATION SERVICES FORM I-914, SUPPLEMENT B DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PRESENT IN
 THE UNITED STATES AT THE TIME OF  FILING.  THE  CERTIFYING  OFFICIAL  OR
 ENTITY  SHALL FORWARD THE COMPLETED CERTIFICATION FORM TO THE PETITIONER
 WITHOUT REQUIRING THE PETITIONER TO PROVIDE GOVERNMENT-ISSUED  IDENTIFI-
 CATION.
   (D)  A  CERTIFYING ENTITY'S INABILITY TO COMMUNICATE WITH A VICTIM DUE
 TO THE VICTIM'S LANGUAGE SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED A REFUSAL OR FAILURE TO
 PROVIDE ASSISTANCE.
   5. (A) EACH YEAR, EACH CERTIFYING ENTITY SHALL FILE A  REPORT  TO  THE
 ATTORNEY GENERAL REGARDING CERTIFICATION REQUESTS RECEIVED BY THE ENTITY
 DURING THE PREVIOUS CALENDAR YEAR. SUCH REPORT SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE
 LIMITED TO:
   (I)  THE  TOTAL  NUMBER  OF  CERTIFICATION REQUESTS RECEIVED, REQUESTS
 GRANTED AND REQUESTS DENIED, AND THE NUMBER  OF  PENDING  CERTIFICATIONS
 FOR SUCH YEAR; AND
   (II)  FOR  DENIED  CERTIFICATION REQUESTS, THE NUMBER OF TIMES EACH OF
 THE FOLLOWING WERE THE REASON FOR THE DENIAL:
   (A) LACK OF QUALIFYING CRIMINAL ACTIVITY OR HUMAN TRAFFICKING;
   (B) REFUSAL TO PROVIDE INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE REASONABLY  REQUESTED
 BY THE CERTIFYING ENTITY;
   (C) LACK OF JURISDICTION OVER CERTIFICATION REQUEST; OR
   (D)  OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES FOR WHICH A CERTIFYING OFFICIAL OR ENTITY MAY
 LAWFULLY DENY CERTIFICATION.
   (B) A  CERTIFYING  ENTITY  THAT  DID  NOT  RECEIVE  ANY  CERTIFICATION
 REQUESTS  DURING THE PREVIOUS CALENDAR YEAR SHALL REPORT THAT THE CERTI-
 FYING ENTITY RECEIVED ZERO REQUESTS.
   (C) A REPORT  MADE  UNDER  THIS  SUBDIVISION  SHALL  NOT  CONTAIN  ANY
 PERSONALLY IDENTIFYING INFORMATION.
   (D)  WITHIN NINETY DAYS OF RECEIVING REPORTS FROM CERTIFYING ENTITIES,
 THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL PREPARE A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON THE CERTIF-
 ICATION PROCESS AND SUBMIT THE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT TO  THE  SPEAKER  OF
 THE  ASSEMBLY,  THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, AND THE GOVERNOR.
 THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL MAKE  PUBLICLY  AVAILABLE  THE  COMPREHENSIVE
 REPORT.  THE  COMPREHENSIVE  REPORT SHALL IDENTIFY ANY CERTIFYING ENTITY
 THAT DID NOT SUBMIT A REPORT.
 S. 9257                             5
 
   6. (A) A CERTIFYING ENTITY OR  OFFICIAL  MAY  CERTIFY  A  FORM  I-918,
 SUPPLEMENT  B,  OR  A  FORM I-914, SUPPLEMENT B CERTIFICATION FOR DIRECT
 VICTIMS, INDIRECT VICTIMS, AND BYSTANDER OR WITNESS VICTIMS.
   (B)  A DIRECT VICTIM IS ANY PERSON WHO HAS SUFFERED DIRECT HARM OR WHO
 IS DIRECTLY AND PROXIMATELY HARMED AS A RESULT OF THE CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.
   (C) AN INDIRECT VICTIM IS A  QUALIFYING  FAMILY  MEMBER  OF  A  DIRECT
 VICTIM  IF THE DIRECT VICTIM IS INCOMPETENT, INCAPACITATED, OR DECEASED,
 INCLUDING SPOUSES, UNMARRIED  CHILDREN  UNDER  THE  AGE  OF  TWENTY-ONE,
 PARENTS  IF  THE  DIRECT  VICTIM  WAS  UNDER  THE AGE OF TWENTY-ONE, AND
 SIBLINGS UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN IF THE DIRECT VICTIM WAS UNDER  TWEN-
 TY-ONE  YEARS  OF  AGE. INDIRECT VICTIMS SHALL COOPERATE IN THE INVESTI-
 GATION OR PROSECUTION BUT ARE NOT REQUIRED TO POSSESS INFORMATION  ABOUT
 THE  CRIME ITSELF. INDIRECT VICTIM COOPERATION SHALL INCLUDE PARENTS WHO
 MAKE THEIR CHILDREN AVAILABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE CERTIFYING ENTITY.
   (D) A BYSTANDER OR WITNESS VICTIM IS ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO  WAS  NOT  THE
 DIRECT TARGET OF A CRIME, BUT WHO NEVERTHELESS SUFFERED UNUSUALLY DIRECT
 INJURY AS A RESULT OF THE QUALIFYING CRIME.
   7. THIS SECTION SHALL NOT REDUCE THE RIGHTS OR PRIVILEGES OF ANY IMMI-
 GRANT VICTIM UNDER ANY OTHER SECTION OF LAW.
   § 3. Section 483-dd of the social services law is REPEALED.
   §  4.  This  act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall
 have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
 repeal of any rule or regulation necessary  for  the  implementation  of
 this  act  on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed
 on or before such effective date.

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Senate Bill S9257

Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Crime Victims, Crime And Correction Committee

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2025-S9257 (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S9257 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S9257 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S9257 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

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Sponsored By

James Skoufis

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Crime Victims, Crime And Correction Committee

Actions

2025-S9257 (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S9257 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S9257 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S9257 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments