(ALBANY, NY) Today, Senator Lea Webb and Assemblymember Sarah Clark held a press conference with colleagues and Domestic Violence advocates in support of their life-saving legislation (S2280A/A4899A) that would require law enforcement officers to conduct a lethality assessment as part of the standardized domestic incident report form when responding to incidents of domestic violence. Inspired by the tragic losses of Gabby Petito and other victims of domestic violence, this legislation would save lives by providing law enforcement with a tool designed to help them identify victims who are most at risk for intimate partner homicide. 

Said Assemblymember Sarah Clark, “Domestic violence is a reality for too many members of our community, and far too often, the violence escalates and becomes very serious or deadly. By requiring a standardized lethality assessment during law enforcement responses, we can help improve safety, take action through referral to domestic violence programs, provide extreme risk protection orders or whatever appropriate action is warranted. In other places across our country, an evidence-based lethality assessment has saved lives. I am proud to work with Senator Webb to make these changes a reality and thank the many advocates throughout our state for their partnership. It is our duty to do more to help those affected by domestic violence and ensure New York is a safer state for all.”

Said Senator Lea Webb, “Lethality Assessments save lives by enabling law enforcement to identify victims at high risk of serious injury or death by their intimate partners. In Broome County, law enforcement has implemented these evidenced-based screenings to better assess potential risk so that victims can be connected with local domestic violence advocates from the Crime Victim Assistance Center and the Family Violence Prevention Council. By implementing this life-saving tool statewide, we will ensure law enforcement has the resources they need to empower victims and lessen the danger to their health and safety. By focusing on prevention, we can save the lives of victims before it’s too late. Thank you to Assemblymember Clark for her leadership on this issue, OPDV, advocates, and the Petito family for their advocacy on behalf of domestic violence survivors here in New York and across the country.”

State Senator Shelley Mayer said, “For victims of domestic violence, an interaction with law enforcement can significantly influence the outcome of their situations both in the moment and in hours, days, even weeks after the call. Thanks to former Pound Ridge Police Chief and current Director of the Westchester County NY Domestic Violence High Risk Team, David Ryan, in Westchester County, law enforcement officers in Westchester are already required to conduct a lethality assessment as part of the standardized domestic incident report, and there is strong evidence supporting its effectiveness. This legislation will bring that proven, evidence-based practice statewide. It will strengthen protections for survivors, particularly women, and ensure a more consistent, thoughtful response to domestic violence across New York. I am proud to co-sponsor this bill, and I thank Senator Webb and Assemblymember Clark for their leadership, as well as David Ryan for his continued advocacy and service to families in Westchester.”

Said Assemblymember Karen McMahon, "Codifying lethality assessments into law ensures that every victim, regardless of where they live, receives the same immediate, life-saving intervention. By equipping law enforcement with proven tools and training, this legislation strengthens the bridge between policing and support services - turning moments of crisis into opportunities for protection, prevention, and survival. I thank Senator Lea Webb and Assemblymember Sarah Clark for their leadership on this issue, and I'm proud to co-sponsor this legislation and help ensure its passage."

Said Joseph Petito, Father of Gabby Petito, “Our family stands firmly in support of NY Bill S2280A. This represents a critical step towards helping victims of domestic violence by prioritizing prevention and giving our law enforcement the tools to access and respond to domestic violence more effectively. It’s a big jump to a future where every individual can feel safe in their own home.”

Said Joan Gerhardt, Director of Public Policy & Advocacy, New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, “Lethality assessments like the one proposed in S2280B/A4899B enable law enforcement to obtain critical information about what has transpired at the scene of a domestic incident. By asking these questions, victims who are at the highest risk of being seriously injured or killed by an abusive partner can be identified. Police can then take additional steps to protect them, including connecting them with critical, life-saving advocacy services, safety planning resources, and emergency shelter. NYSCADV thanks Senator Webb and Assembly Member Clark for introducing this legislation and the Senate for unanimously passing this bill two years in a row. We urge the Assembly to bring the bill to the floor for a vote without delay.”

Said Meaghan de Chateauvieux, Willow President & CEO, “This legislation is about recognizing what too often goes unseen—and acting before it’s too late. We know that the risk of lethal violence doesn’t happen suddenly; there are warning signs. In Monroe County, we’ve seen how a coordinated community response—bringing together law enforcement, advocates, and service providers—can strengthen how we identify and respond to danger. This bill builds on that model by ensuring every community has a standardized, evidence-based lethality assessment to guide those critical moments. When we intervene earlier, with the right tools and the right partnerships, we can prevent tragedy and ensure more individuals and families have the chance to reach safety, healing, and hope.”

“We are excited for the partnership this program opens up with our state and local police departments. The Crime Victims Assistance Center provides essential year-round, 24-hour hotline support for law enforcement and victims,” said Christine Battisti, Chief Executive Officer, The Crime Victims Assistance Center. “Through our Lethality Assessment pilot program alone we received 269 calls and as we expand the program county wide we anticipate that we will be able to help so many more victims. This program allows us to have an immediate impact by meeting victims where they are and letting them know that when they are ready there is a team waiting to help them, including law enforcement, prosecutors, medical staff, and advocates. With this program in place, we are able to have an immediate impact on the safety of domestic violence victims.” 

Background:

The bill passed unanimously in the Senate on February 24, 2026 with bipartisan support and now awaits passage by the Assembly.  

Lethality assessments are a useful tool for law enforcement when responding to a domestic dispute. Studies have shown that the combination of questioning of victims while immediately providing resources for victims is a powerful tool in reducing deadly outcomes for victims. This “collaborative police and social service intervention” has its roots in Maryland, but other states including Utah and Florida have recently codified lethality assessments into law to ensure all police departments are able to utilize this tool aimed at fully assessing a domestic situation. 

Through the lethality assessment and resource sharing, law enforcement empowers victims with information, potentially saving their lives. A recent study indicated that the use of lethality assessments reduces female homicide by men by almost 40%. 

This legislation will codify uniform lethality assessment requirements into law to provide consistency across the state in the application and reporting of facts during a domestic dispute. This also requires law enforcement to receive training on the use of assessments. Additionally, this information is required to be included in Domestic Incident Reports (DIR).  

Several communities across New York have adopted the use of lethality assessments including Broome, Dutchess and Westchester Counties. Uniform training and support from DCJS and OPDV along with uniform reporting can protect victims as well as law enforcement in cases where there are repeated calls for intervention. 

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