State Senator Savino’s Domestic Violence Bill Signed Into Law

The Staten Island Advance is reporting that a bill designed to close an existing loophole in domestic violence legislation has been signed into law by Governor Cuomo.

Previous legislation had limited some victims of domestic violence from seeking orders of protection from their abusers.

From silive.com:

“Every New Yorker should be outraged that our courts were turning away domestic violence victims seeking help on a technicality,” said Ms. Savino (D-North Shore/Brooklyn).

“I thank the governor and my colleagues for joining together to right that very frightening wrong.”

The new law, which was authored by State Senator Diane Savino, adds strangulation, as well as criminal obstruction of breathing and blood circulation to the list of accusations a judge can take into a count when deciding whether or not to issue an order of protection.

State Senator Diane Savino represents District 23, which includes much of the North Shore of Staten Island. In Brooklyn, District 23 includes Coney Island, as well as parts of Bay Ridge, Sunset Park, Borough Park and Bensonhurst. Senator Savino also chairs the Senate Standing Committee on Children and Families.