S5998B

The New York State Senate passed legislation named after Kyra Franchetti, a two-year-old killed by her abusive father during a court-ordered unsupervised visit, by a vote of 59-0 on Tuesday. Senate Print 5998B, sponsored by Sen. Pete Skoufis, amends the Domestic Relations Law to require Family Court judges to review allegations of domestic violence and child abuse—including histories of abuse, police reports, and other risk factors—before issuing temporary or final custody and visitation orders. Skoufis said the bill addresses a critical gap in court procedures that has left New York children "routinely court-ordered into homes with dangerous and even murderous guardians." The legislation was championed by Jacqueline Franchetti, Kyra's mother, who has advocated for the measure for years after her pleas to shield her daughter from her father's abusive behavior were ignored by the presiding judge. Skoufis credited Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assemblymember Andy Hevesi, and numerous advocates for supporting the bill. The measure takes effect 270 days after becoming law.