New York State Senator Mario R. Mattera today announced the introduction of legislation to create a New York State Persistent Domestic Violence Offender Registry, aimed at protecting victims, preventing repeat abuse, and strengthening public safety across the state.  The bill, S.8932, would establish a publicly accessible registry for repeat domestic violence offenders, similar in structure to the existing sex offender registry. The proposal is narrowly focused on repeat offenders, recognizing that domestic violence is often escalating behavior and that prior abuse is one of the strongest predictors of future harm.

“Domestic violence is not a private matter, it is a serious and repeatable crime,” Senator Mattera said. “This legislation is about prevention, accountability, and giving people the information they need to protect themselves and their families.”

Senator Mattera explained that the legislation was inspired by a conversation with a Long Island mother whose daughter was killed by a repeat domestic violence offender. That encounter, he said, made the issue deeply personal.

“Right now, there is no real way for someone to know if the person they are dating has a history of domestic violence. That silence can be deadly. In my daughter Meghan’s case, the danger wasn’t visible until it was too late. Senator Mattera’s bill S8932 changes that. A persistent domestic violence offender registry gives people the ability to protect themselves before harm happens, not after. It brings truth into the open and creates accountability. This bill is about prevention, transparency, and saving lives,” Bevin Llanes, mother of Meghan who was stabbed 54 times by a repeat domestic abuser.

“As the father of two young women, this hits close to home,” Mattera added. “When a grieving mother asks you to act so another family doesn’t have to endure that pain, you listen. This bill honors those who have already been impacted and works to protect potential victims from repeat abusers.”

Laura Ahearn, Esq., LMSW, Executive Director of the Suffolk and Nassau County Crime Victims Centers (CVC) supports Senator Mattera’s proposal to establish a domestic violence registry in New York and stated, “This is an important step toward empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their personal safety. Too often, victims enter relationships without access to critical information about a partner’s history of violence. This registry will provide a vital tool for prevention while incorporating strong safeguards to protect the confidentiality and dignity of victims. We fully support this legislation and its commitment to both transparency and survivor protection.”

The proposed registry would be housed within the Division of Criminal Justice Services and would apply only to individuals who have been convicted of a domestic violence offense and have at least one prior domestic violence conviction. First-time offenders would not be included.

Publicly available information would be limited to what is necessary for identification and public safety, including a name, date of birth, conviction information, county of conviction, and a current photograph. Addresses and sensitive personal identifiers would not be made public.

Registration would be ordered by a judge after proof of prior convictions, ensuring due process. The registry would also be time-limited and tiered based on the number of prior convictions, with removal periods ranging from five to twenty years, depending on offense history.

“This is a reasonable, carefully tailored, and constitutionally sound approach,” Mattera said. “It focuses resources where the risk is greatest, balances public safety with privacy protections, and reinforces that domestic violence must be taken seriously.”

The legislation also includes a registration fee, with a portion dedicated to a Domestic Violence Awareness Fund to support prevention and education efforts statewide.

Senator Mattera emphasized that the bill is intended to begin an important statewide conversation and welcomed collaboration.

The Senator’s office is working with legislators on both sides of the aisle to find cosponsors and consulting with experts, including Laura Ahern of Parents for Megan’s Law, to strengthen the proposal.

“Domestic violence is an escalating, repeat behavior,” Mattera said. “This registry ensures that victims’ voices are heard, that offenders are held accountable, and that New York takes meaningful action to provide safeguards for our residents. This is an important protection and we must pass this in 2026.”

Please click here to join the effort to make the New York State Persistent Domestic Violence Offender Registry a reality in New York State!

If anyone on Long Island has an issue with a domestic violence issue should reach out to the CVC Domestic Violence Hotlines for assistance. Suffolk County residents can call (631) 332-9234 and Nassau County can call (516) 542-0404.