S4686

The New York State Senate passed Senate Print 4686, an amendment to the Criminal Procedure Law addressing protections for domestic violence victims, by a vote of 59-0 on Tuesday. The bill's passage came after the chamber rejected a proposed floor amendment that would have authorized judges to set bail in domestic violence cases. Sen. Martins appealed Acting President Bailey's ruling that the amendment was nongermane to the underlying bill, arguing it was directly relevant to protecting domestic violence victims. A show of hands vote on the appeal resulted in 20 ayes, sustaining the presiding officer's ruling. Martins had contended that recent bail reform has prevented judges from setting bail on serious domestic violence offenses including assault, menacing, stalking, false imprisonment, and aggravated family offenses, leaving victims vulnerable to abusers. Despite the failed amendment, the underlying bill passed unanimously after being restored to the noncontroversial calendar. The measure takes effect January 1.