Bill > A09551

This bill establishes "coercive control" as a legal concept, defining it as a pattern of behavior used to dominate, intimidate, or subordinate another person that unreasonably interferes with their free will, personal liberty, or autonomy, and includes actions like isolation, controlling movements, regulating finances, restricting access to necessities, threatening conduct, misusing digital devices, misusing legal processes, and repeated verbal degradation, while excluding reasonable parental actions. The bill grants both family courts and criminal courts concurrent jurisdiction over acts constituting coercive control, allowing courts to issue orders of protection based on a finding of coercive control by a preponderance of the evidence, and requires the Office of Court Administration to develop and administer mandatory training for judges and court clerks on coercive control. Furthermore, it creates a private cause of action for individuals subjected to coercive control, allowing them to sue for damages in Supreme Court, and amends existing laws to ensure that allegations of coercive control are considered in child custody and visitation matters, emphasizing that such control can negatively impact a child's best interests.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A9551