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Bill > A06194

NY A06194

Requires the court to consider a child's health and safety when making a decision regarding child custody and visitation; directs the court to review certain information as it relates to allegations of child abuse, domestic violence and child safety; requires the court to appoint an attorney to represent the child when credible allegations of serious risk to the child's safety have been made.

summary

Introduced
02/27/2025
In Committee
02/27/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 General Assembly

Bill Summary

AN ACT to amend the domestic relations law, the family court act and the civil practice law and rules, in relation to establishing "Kyra's Law"

AI Summary

This bill, known as "Kyra's Law", requires courts to prioritize child safety in custody and visitation cases by mandating a more comprehensive review of potential risks to children. The bill directs courts to conduct prompt evidentiary hearings when credible allegations of domestic violence, child abuse, or substantial risk to a child's safety are made, and establishes a detailed framework for evaluating such risks. Key provisions include requiring courts to consider evidence such as history of domestic violence, police reports, threats, substance abuse patterns, and other factors that might indicate a risk to the child's well-being. The bill creates a rebuttable presumption that unsupervised custody or visitation should not be granted to a party who poses a substantial risk to the child's safety, and mandates that courts explicitly state their reasoning for custody and visitation decisions. Additionally, the bill requires judges to undergo comprehensive training on domestic violence, child abuse, and child neglect, and provides a mechanism for attorneys to be appointed to represent children in cases with serious safety concerns. The legislation aims to ensure that child safety is the paramount consideration in custody and visitation proceedings, giving courts more tools and guidance to protect vulnerable children.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (103)

Andrew Hevesi (D)*,  George Alvarez (D),  Joe Angelino (R),  Andrea Bailey (R),  Didi Barrett (D),  Anil Beephan Jr. (R),  Scott Bendett (R),  Michael Benedetto (D),  Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn (D),  Ken Blankenbush (R),  Jake Blumencranz (R),  Paul Bologna (R),  Alex Bores (D),  Karl Brabenec (R),  Harry Bronson (D),  Keith Brown (R),  Chris Burdick (D),  Noah Burroughs (D),  Marianne Buttenschon (D),  Patrick Carroll (D),  Lester Chang (R),  Patrick Chludzinski (R),  Sarah Clark (D),  William Colton (D),  Bill Conrad (D),  Vivian Cook (D),  Catalina Cruz (D),  Brian Cunningham (D),  Maritza Davila (D),  Manny De Los Santos (D),  Joe DeStefano (R),  Jeffrey Dinowitz (D),  Michael Durso (R),  Chris Eachus (D),  Harvey Epstein (D),  Mike Fitzpatrick (R),  Jeff Gallahan (R),  Jarett Gandolfo (R),  Eddie Gibbs (D),  Jodi Giglio (R),  Deborah Glick (D),  Jessica González-Rojas (D),  Judy Griffin (D),  Steve Hawley (R),  Larinda Hooks (D),  Pamela Hunter (D),  Chantel Jackson (D),  Josh Jensen (R),  Billy Jones (D),  Rebecca Kassay (D),  Paula Kay (D),  Anna Kelles (D),  Micah Lasher (D),  Charles Lavine (D),  Grace Lee (D),  John Lemondes (R),  Dana Levenberg (D),  Jen Lunsford (D),  Donna Lupardo (D),  Brian Maher (R),  Brian Manktelow (R),  John McDonald (D),  Dave McDonough (R),  Demond Meeks (D),  John Mikulin (R),  Brian Miller (R),  Angelo Morinello (R),  Daniel Norber (R),  Misha Novakhov (R),  Kwani O'Pharrow (D),  Steve Otis (D),  Phil Palmesano (R),  Amy Paulin (D),  Stacey Pheffer Amato (D),  Ed Ra (R),  Steven Raga (D),  Jenifer Rajkumar (D),  Karines Reyes (D),  Jon Rivera (D),  Gabriella Romero (D),  Linda Rosenthal (D),  Nader Sayegh (D),  Thomas Schiavoni (D),  Rebecca Seawright (D),  Joseph Sempolinski (R),  Amanda Septimo (D),  Maryjane Shimsky (D),  Jo Anne Simon (D),  Tony Simone (D),  Matt Simpson (R),  Matt Slater (R),  Doug Smith (R),  Michaelle Solages (D),  Phil Steck (D),  Steve Stern (D),  Al Stirpe (D),  Yudelka Tapia (D),  Al Taylor (D),  David Weprin (D),  Jaime Williams (D),  Carrie Woerner (D),  John Zaccaro (D),  Stefani Zinerman (D), 

Last Action

referred to judiciary (on 02/27/2025)
(1 Companion Bills)

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