A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to creating a task force on domestic violence perpetrators.

Int. No. 503

By Council Members Cumbo, Cabrera, Eugene, Gibson, King, Koo, Vallone, Lancman and Menchaca

A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to creating a task force on domestic violence perpetrators.

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

Section 1.  Section 19 of the New York city charter is amended by adding a new subdivision e to read as follows: 

                          e.1.  For purposes of this subdivision, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(i)  “Agency” shall have the same meaning as set forth in subdivision d of this section.

(ii)  “Perpetrator” shall have the same meaning as set forth in subdivision d of this section.

2.  There shall be a task force to examine programs and services relating to domestic violence perpetrators in the city of New York.  Such task force shall develop recommendations for the consideration of the commissioner of the office to combat domestic violence regarding the coordination and improvement of programs and services for perpetrators of domestic violence provided by agencies and private organizations that provide such programs and services pursuant to a contract with an agency.

(i) Such task force shall be comprised of seven members, three of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the council and four by the mayor.  The members shall be appointed within sixty days of the enactment of this local law and shall serve without compensation.  The chairperson shall be elected from amongst the members.  Any vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term.  The commissioner of the office to combat domestic violence may provide staff to assist the task force.

(ii) The task force shall meet at least four times per year.

3. The task force may request and receive information from any agency as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this subdivision, in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, including, but not limited to, the exceptions to disclosure of agency records contained in the public officers law.  Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed as limiting any right or obligation of agencies pursuant to the public officers law, including the exceptions to disclosure of agency records contained in such law, with respect to access to or disclosure of records or portions thereof.  The task force may also request from any private organization providing programs or services to domestic violence perpetrators pursuant to a contract with an agency information necessary to carry out the provisions of this subdivision.  To the extent provided by law, the task force shall protect the privacy of all individuals involved in any incidence of domestic violence that the task force may receive information on in carrying out the provisions of this subdivision.

4.  The task force shall submit to the mayor and to the speaker of the city council, an annual report commencing January 1, 2016 and annually thereafter on or before January 1 which shall include, but not be limited to, the availability of programs and services to domestic violence perpetrators in the city of New York during the previous year; the number of domestic violence perpetrators using programs and services in the city of New York during the previous year; and recommendations regarding the coordination and improvement of services for victims of domestic violence provided by agencies and private organizations that provide such services pursuant to a contract with an agency. 

5. The office to combat domestic violence shall make such reports available on its web site.  The office to combat domestic violence shall also provide copies of the reports to the public upon request.

§2.      Effect of invalidity; severability.  If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or other portion of this local law is, for any reason, declared unconstitutional or invalid, in whole or in part, by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed severable, and such unconstitutionality or invalidity shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this local law, which remaining portions shall continue in full force and effect.

§3.       This local law shall take effect 90 days following its enactment into law. 

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LS#2892

10/16/2014 11:06AM