Bill > S03938

This bill directs the Office of Victim Services, in collaboration with the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, to establish a statewide supervised visitation initiative that supports safe parenting interactions. The initiative aims to create at least one supervised visitation program in every county that currently lacks such services, with a focus on providing culturally sensitive and language-accessible programs that are affordable for families with limited financial means. The bill recognizes that these programs are crucial in cases involving family violence, mental health concerns, or other situations where supervised visits are necessary to protect children and facilitate healthy family relationships. Counties and New York City will be required to submit annual assessments detailing local needs, program plans, estimated service usage, and potential fee waivers. The programs must accommodate court orders for supervised visitation, including providing reports to courts and offering fee waivers for families who cannot pay. The Office of Victim Services will be responsible for creating regulations, implementing the initiative, and submitting annual reports to the legislature and governor evaluating the program's effectiveness and recommending potential improvements. The act will take effect 180 days after becoming law.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S3938