Bill > A04899

This bill requires law enforcement officers to conduct a lethality assessment when responding to domestic violence incidents by implementing a standardized set of questions on the domestic incident report form. The lethality assessment consists of 13 specific questions designed to evaluate the potential risk of serious harm, including inquiries about weapon use, threats of violence, strangulation, firearm access, controlling behaviors, recent separation, and other potential danger indicators. By January 1, 2026, the division of criminal justice services must update the domestic incident report form and develop training for law enforcement, with all current officers required to complete training by January 1, 2027. When conducting the assessment, officers must ask the victim the standardized questions in order, advise them of the assessment results, and refer them to local domestic violence programs and the state domestic violence hotline. If the assessment reveals a credible risk of serious harm, the officer may be required to file an extreme risk protection order. If a victim cannot or will not provide sufficient information for a complete assessment, the officer must document this in the police report and attempt to refer the victim to support services. The bill aims to improve identification of high-risk domestic violence situations and provide more targeted support and intervention for potential victims.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A4899