2011 Bills of Interest

S3285/ A6776   (Hassell-Thompson/Lentol)  - The Child Protection Act of 2011 will fix deficiencies in the laws that our designed to protect our children. Current laws prevent us from taking adequate action as soon as the abuse of a child begins. By strengthening existing laws, this bill offers better protection before child abuse turns fatal. We owe it to the children of New York to pass this legislation.

2011 Priorities of Interest

All-Crimes DNA: DAASNY supports the expansion of the New York State DNA Databank to include DNA samples from persons convicted of all Penal Law crimes. We recognize that expanding DNA profile entries is cost effective, saves lives, and protects the innocent.

Under New York State Law, if a defendant is convicted of a "qualifying offense," he must submit a DNA sample to the DNA Databank. In 2006, New York added all remaining felonies and 18 misdemeanors to the list of qualifying offenses for the crimes eligible for submission to the DNA Databank. The results of this expansion illustrate the value of taking DNA from people associated with low-level and non-violent offenses. DNA Hit Chart (pdf).

Microstamping: DAASNY supports the requirement that all semi-automatic pistols manufactured by, or delivered to, any licensed firearms dealer in New York State be capable of microstamping. Microstamping is an inexpensive tool that will help law enforcement solve and deter gun crimes. By etching a code onto the firing pin and barrel of a semi-automatic pistol, microstamping provides an easy-to-follow trail back to the purchaser of the weapon.

2011 Law Enforcement Council Legislative Priorities

DAASNY is a member of the New York State Law Enforcement Council, a group formed in 1982 as a legislative advocate for New York's law enforcement community. The Council's members represent the leading law enforcement professionals throughout the State, including the Attorney General of the State of New York, the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York, the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, the New York State Sheriffs' Association, the New York City Criminal Justice Coordinator, and the Citizens Crime Commission of New York City. Since its inception, the Council has been an active voice and participant in improving the quality of justice and in the continuing effort to provide for a safer New York.

Expand the State DNA Identification Index DNA Expansion

Seasoned criminals commit an array of crimes, from low-level misdemeanors to violent felonies.  DNA profiles should be taken for all crimes, not just select offenses, in order to connect these criminals to all of the crimes they have committed.  The 2006 DNA databank expansion, which added some misdemeanor convictions to the list of eligible offenses for DNA submissions after conviction, contributed to 486 new convictions. Expanding DNA profile entries into the DNA Identification Index to include all crimes at arrest is cost effective, saves lives, and protects the innocent. The 2011 DNA Expansion chapter (.pdf).

Provide Tools to Protect Victims and Witnesses

Certain classes of crimes, by their nature, are designed to strip victims of their sense of self and security.  Gang violence and domestic violence epitomize this paradigm.  An integral part of gang and domestic violence is silencing victims and witnesses through intimidation and threats of violence. Increasing the penalties for witness intimidation and tampering, and strengthening the language of these statutes, would provide witnesses and victims with the stronger protection that they deserve. The 2011 Protect Victims and Witnesses chapter (.pdf).

Create a New Felony Offense of Endangering the Welfare of a Child

Current law does not adequately hold parents and other caretakers accountable when they repeatedly abuse children, place their children in grave danger, or act in a particularly vicious or sadistic manner.  An aggravated child endangerment statute would create a felony for people in a position of trust who commit child endangering and have been previously convicted of one or more crimes against a child. It would also make cruelty to children that may not cause visible physical injuries, but is vicious or sadistic, a class E felony. The 2011 Felony Child Endangerment chapter (.pdf).

Remove Loopholes that Allow Public Corruption to Flourish

It is time for comprehensive ethics reform to end the corruption that erodes the public’s faith in elected officials and undermines communities’ civic engagement.  Statutory changes must be made to the Scheme to Defraud and Public Bribery statutes, and an Honest Services statute and increased financial disclosure must be adopted, in order to enable the full prosecution of corrupt officials at the local level. The 2011 Public Corruption chapter (.pdf).

Enhance Protections for Police Officers

When individuals fail to heed police authority, they put police officers and bystanders in danger.Those who willfully ignore the lawful commands of a police officer and attack police officers must be subject to higher penalties.  These enhancements are necessary to ensure the safety and stability provided by the rule of law. The 2011 Police Protection chapter (.pdf).

To view the Law Enforcement Council's 2011 Legislative Priorities Handbook in its entirety select here.