Bipartisan Kyra’s Law would prioritize child welfare in custody court
Originally published in
News 10 ABC
on
.
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — Domestic violence advocacy groups want New York Governor Kathy Hochul to include a child safety bill called Kyra’s Law in the upcoming fiscal year 2027 Executive Budget. In a letter sent Monday, the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and 16 other organizations argued that failures under current New York Law have caused tragedies in child custody cases.
If enacted, Kyra’s law would take effect nine months—270 days—after becoming law. The Executive Budget process is the only venue for the governor of New York can officially and directly introduce legislation.
Democratic Senator James Skoufis, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, cited preventable “gaps and loopholes in an overburdened family court system” that continue to put kids with abusive parents. He said he looks forward to working with the Executive on passing the bill, noting Hochul’s consistent support for addressing family court shortcomings.