NY State Senate Bill 2015-S1925

Senate Bill S1925

2015-2016 Legislative Session

Establishes an independent fatality review board to investigate deaths appearing to be from unnatural causes, where domestic violence is apparent

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Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jan 06, 2016	referred to finance
Jan 15, 2015	referred to finance

2015-S1925 (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Finance
Law Section:: Executive Law
Laws Affected:: Add §837-s, Exec L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2009-2010: S1006
2011-2012: S2080, S6200
2013-2014: S3124
2017-2018: S2295
2019-2020: S4258
2021-2022: S4660
2023-2024: S5278

2015-S1925 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Establishes an independent fatality review board to review and assess domestic violence cases which result in a fatality and compile a report and make recommendations to certain state agencies based on such review and assessment; provides for access to various records without subpoena and for access to sealed records with judicial authorization.

2015-S1925 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                BILL NUMBER:S1925

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the executive law, in relation to
establishing a fatality review board and providing for such board's
powers and duties

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To establish an independent fatality review-board consisting of
experts to review and assess domestic violence cases which result in a
fatality.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Legislative Intent

Section 2: Amends the executive law by establishing an independent
fatality review board to investigated deaths appearing to result from
incident (s) of domestic violence.

Investigations may commence after the completion of court proceedings
involving the alleged perpetrator.

For instances where the board reasonably believes that the alleged
Perpetrator is unapprehended investigations may commence six months
after the death of the victim.

The investigation may commence immediately if the board reasonably
believes that the perpetrator is deceased.

The Board shall consist of thirteen experts with broad experience,
including representatives of battered womens' and crime victims
groups, appointed by the Governor, Chief Judge, Office for the
prevention of Domestic violence, Temporary president of the Senate and
Speaker of the Assembly.

Members of the board shall be appointed for a term of four years,
shall not be compensated, but shall be allowed their actual and
necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

The board shall study cases and make recommendations. The experts
would review the circumstances surrounding the fatalities and the case
histories of the complainants.

The Board shall assess the response of the criminal justice system and
the activities and response of other agencies or entities that may
have been involved in or associated with the case history. The board
shall have the authority to recommend, based upon case findings,
appropriate corrective actions to improve the management, supervision
and service delivery of these agencies.

The board will also perform a research and reporting function and
identify areas requiring new preventive and protective strategies or
guidelines or legislative changes.

JUSTIFICATION:


The U.S. Surgeon General and the American Medical Association have
declared domestic violence as the #1 health problem for women.
Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women, resulting
in more injuries than auto accidents, muggings and rapes combined.
Over 20% of hospital emergency room visits by women are due to
domestic violence. On average, there is a report of domestic violence
to a law enforcement agency every 15 seconds. Domestic violence
accounts for 52% of adult female homicide victims and one third of
teenage girl homicide victims. According to the FBI, four women a week
are killed as a result of domestic violence. Every year 2,000 to 4,000
women are killed as a result of domestic violence and 3 to 6 million
are injured. In New York State, about 200 women are killed each year
by a male partner and an untold number of others commit suicide as a
means of escape. Many of these victims have had contact with the legal
system. Their cases hold valuable information on where weaknesses lie
within this system. The Fatality Review Board would examine the cases
of domestic violence fatalities to identify where the system or
process could be improved to prevent further tragedies.

The Board would draw on the knowledge of individuals from diverse
fields. Information gathered by the Board and any resulting
recommendations to address any and all shortcomings would be shared
among appropriate representatives of the courts, medicine, social
services, law enforcement, criminal justice and other policy makers
who might benefit from this insight. An annual report would be
compiled for the Governor, the Legislature, the Office of Court
Administration, the Division of State Police and the State Office for
the Prevention of Domestic Violence detailing the findings and
recommendations. The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court
Judges in their work, "State-of-the-Art Court Programs," called for
the creation of such review panels. Additionally, Fatality Review
Boards have been implemented in several jurisdictions/states including
Hawaii, Nevada, and California. Furthermore, the Board is modeled
after "child fatality review panels or teams" that have been organized
in various jurisdictions across the country including New York City in
the child welfare field.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2013-2014: S.3124 - Referred to Finance
2011-2012: S.6200 - REFERRED TO FINANCE

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

There will be a minor fiscal impact to localities for providing copies
of records, and a small cost to the state for the expenses of Board
members.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have
become a law.

2015-S1925 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  1925

                       2015-2016 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                            January 15, 2015
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sen.  PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
  printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance

AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing a fatali-
  ty review board and providing for such board's powers and duties

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1.  Legislative  intent. The legislature hereby declares that
domestic violence is a pervasive and frequently lethal problem in Ameri-
can society and in New York state. Nationwide, on average, approximately
ten women are killed by their batterers every day.    Battering  is  the
single,  major cause of injury to women, resulting in more injuries than
auto accidents, muggings, and rapes  combined.  Such  abuse  is  also  a
strong  indicator that physical or sexual abuse of children is occurring
in the family. Domestic violence devastates its  victims  and  threatens
the  stability  of the family and negatively affects all family members,
especially children who witness the violent abuse.    Domestic  violence
also  affects  the  entire community. The incidence of domestic violence
adversely affects the safety, health, and welfare of communities as well
as societal economies by draining billions of dollars  in  social  costs
associated  with  medical expenses, law enforcement, and lost productiv-
ity.
  The legislature finds that multi-disciplinary domestic violence fatal-
ity review boards have been used successfully to ensure  that  incidents
of  domestic  violence  are  recognized  and  that agency involvement is
reviewed to improve  the  responsiveness  of  public  agencies  for  the
reduction  and  eradication  of  domestic violence. The establishment of
such a board is similar to the time-honored  mortality/morbidity  review
conference utilized by the medical profession to ensure the provision of
quality medical care.
  The  legislature further finds that it is in the interest of the state
to provide for the creation of a fatality review board in New York.  The

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD06689-01-5

S. 1925                             2

board will facilitate communication among courts and agencies, allow for
the  identification  of  preventable deaths, and provide for recommenda-
tions with a view toward improving the system's ability to prevent  such
occurrences.  The purpose of the inter-agency, multi-disciplinary review
is not punitive, but to increase the thoroughness and  effectiveness  of
systematic  responses  by  developing  recommendations  for policies and
protocols for prevention and intervention initiatives.  In  addition  to
reviewing cases, the fatality review board may also provide guidance and
protocols  for  the  development  and implementation of local reviews by
counties or other jurisdictions. The board may also identify trends  and
patterns  of  domestic  violence  deaths and recognize the prevalence of
risk factors which exist in the population of victims and  perpetrators.
This  data  could  be helpful in the development of system interventions
and policy changes for persons who are at risk.
  By enacting this legislation, the legislature seeks to provide a  case
review  process for the purpose of reducing the incidence of preventable
deaths from domestic violence.
  S 2. The executive law is amended by adding a  new  section  837-s  to
read as follows:
  S 837-S.  FATALITY REVIEW BOARD ESTABLISHED; POWERS AND DUTIES.  1. A.
THERE  IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED AN INDEPENDENT FATALITY REVIEW BOARD.  SUCH
BOARD IS EMPOWERED AND AUTHORIZED TO INVESTIGATE DEATHS APPEARING TO  BE
FROM  UNNATURAL CAUSES, WHERE THE DECEDENT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A VICTIM
OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
  B. SUCH INVESTIGATIONS MAY COMMENCE AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE CRIMI-
NAL TRIAL OR TRIAL COURT PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING THE  ALLEGED  PERPETRATOR
OF THE HOMICIDE; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT:
  (I)  THE INVESTIGATION MAY COMMENCE SIX MONTHS AFTER SUCH DEATH IF THE
BOARD REASONABLY BELIEVES, AS EVIDENCED BY A MAJORITY BOARD  VOTE,  THAT
THE  ALLEGED  PERPETRATOR IS UNAPPREHENDED, AND UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES
THE INVESTIGATION MAY CONTINUE ONLY SO LONG AS SUCH ALLEGED  PERPETRATOR
REMAINS AT LARGE; OR
  (II)  THE  INVESTIGATION MAY COMMENCE IMMEDIATELY IF THE BOARD REASON-
ABLY BELIEVES, AS EVIDENCED BY MAJORITY BOARD  VOTE,  THAT  THE  ALLEGED
PERPETRATOR IS DECEASED.
  2.    SUCH BOARD SHALL CONSIST OF THIRTEEN MEMBERS, TO BE APPOINTED AS
FOLLOWS:
  A.  FIVE MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR:
  (I) ONE SUCH MEMBER SHALL BE APPOINTED UPON THE  RECOMMENDATION  OF  A
STATEWIDE ORGANIZATION REPRESENTING SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE;
  (II) ONE SUCH MEMBER SHALL BE A PERSON EXPERIENCED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT;
  (III)  ONE SUCH MEMBER, WHO SHALL BE APPOINTED UPON THE RECOMMENDATION
OF A STATEWIDE ORGANIZATION REPRESENTING PROSECUTORS, SHALL BE A  REPRE-
SENTATIVE OF PROSECUTION SERVICES;
  (IV)  ONE  SUCH MEMBER, WHO SHALL BE APPOINTED UPON THE RECOMMENDATION
OF A STATEWIDE ORGANIZATION REPRESENTING THE PUBLIC OR PRIVATE  CRIMINAL
DEFENSE BAR, SHALL BE A REPRESENTATIVE OF CRIMINAL DEFENSE SERVICES; AND
  (V)  ONE  SUCH  MEMBER SHALL BE APPOINTED UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF A
STATEWIDE ORGANIZATION REPRESENTING SOCIAL WORKERS.
  B. THREE MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE STATE.
  C. ONE MEMBER SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE OFFICE FOR THE  PREVENTION  OF
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, WHO SHALL BE A REPRESENTATIVE OF THAT OFFICE.
  D.  TWO  MEMBERS  SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE
SENATE, ONE OF WHOM SHALL BE APPOINTED ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF A STATE-
WIDE ORGANIZATION REPRESENTING CRIME VICTIMS.

S. 1925                             3

  E. TWO MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY,  ONE
OF  WHOM  SHALL BE APPOINTED ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF A STATEWIDE ORGAN-
IZATION REPRESENTING CRIME VICTIMS.
  3.    MEMBERS  OF  THE BOARD SHALL BE APPOINTED TO SERVE FOR A TERM OF
FOUR YEARS.  FROM AMONG THE MEMBERS, A CHAIRPERSON SHALL BE ELECTED, WHO
SHALL SERVE FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS.  MEMBERS OF THE BOARD  SHALL  NOT
BE COMPENSATED FOR THEIR SERVICES, BUT SHALL BE ALLOWED THEIR ACTUAL AND
NECESSARY  EXPENSES  INCURRED  IN  THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES.   NO
MEMBER OF THE BOARD SHALL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM HOLDING ANY PUBLIC OFFICE
OR EMPLOYMENT, NOR SHALL HE OR SHE FORFEIT ANY SUCH OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT
BY VIRTUE OF HIS OR HER APPOINTMENT  HEREUNDER.    ANY  VACANCY  IN  THE
MEMBERSHIP  OF  THE  BOARD  SHALL  BE  FILLED  IN THE SAME MANNER AS THE
ORIGINAL APPOINTMENT.
  4. A. THE BOARD SHALL REVIEW  AND  STUDY  THE  CIRCUMSTANCES  OF  SUCH
FATALITIES. IT SHALL ASSESS THE ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSES OF THE CRIMINAL
JUSTICE  SYSTEM  AND  OF  ANY  OTHER PUBLIC ENTITIES WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN
INVOLVED IN, OR IN ANY MANNER ASSOCIATED WITH, THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF  THE
FATALITY,  ITS  INVESTIGATION,  OR  THE  RELEVANT  HISTORY  OF  DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE.
  B. THE BOARD SHALL PERIODICALLY ADVISE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE
DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES, OFFICE OF  COURT  ADMINISTRATION,
DIVISION  OF STATE POLICE, THE STATE OFFICE FOR THE PREVENTION OF DOMES-
TIC VIOLENCE, AND OTHER APPROPRIATE ENTITIES CONCERNING THEIR  FINDINGS.
THE BOARD HAS THE AUTHORITY TO RECOMMEND APPROPRIATE CORRECTIVE ACTIONS,
BASED  UPON  ITS  FINDINGS,  TO  IMPROVE THE MANAGEMENT, SUPERVISION AND
PROVISION OF SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THEIR FAMILIES
AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTIONS, BASED UPON ITS  FINDINGS,  THAT
MAY REDUCE THE PREVALENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
  C.  THE BOARD SHALL ALSO PERFORM A RESEARCH AND REPORTING FUNCTION AND
IDENTIFY  AREAS  REQUIRING  NEW  PREVENTIVE  AND  PROTECTIVE STRATEGIES,
GUIDELINES, OR LEGISLATIVE CHANGES.  THE BOARD SHALL REPORT ANNUALLY  ON
ITS  ACTIVITIES  AND  FINDINGS,  INCLUDING  ITS  RECOMMENDATIONS, TO THE
GOVERNOR,  LEGISLATURE,  CHIEF  JUDGE,  DIVISION  OF  CRIMINAL   JUSTICE
SERVICES,  OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION, DIVISION OF STATE POLICE, AND
OFFICE FOR  THE  PREVENTION  OF  DOMESTIC  VIOLENCE  ON  OR  BEFORE  THE
FIFTEENTH OF MARCH OF EACH YEAR.  SUCH REPORT SHALL BE RELEASED AND MADE
AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
  5.  A. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, THE BOARD
IS ENTITLED TO EXAMINE AND RECEIVE WITHOUT CHARGE PHOTOCOPIES OR  PHOTO-
GRAPHS OF THE FOLLOWING RECORDS AND DOCUMENTS WITHOUT THE NECESSITY OF A
SUBPOENA AND WITHOUT COURT APPROVAL:
  (I)  ALL  UNSEALED COURT RECORDS, INCLUDING TRANSCRIPTS, EXHIBITS, AND
ITEMS ENTERED IN EVIDENCE, IN CRIMINAL OR FAMILY  COURT  PROCEEDINGS  IN
WHICH THE DECEDENT OR THE ALLEGED PERPETRATOR WAS A COMPLAINANT, DEFEND-
ANT,  OR  RESPONDENT, INCLUDING ANY SUCH TRIAL OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT
OF THE DECEDENT'S DEATH;
  (II) ALL MEDICAL, HOSPITAL, CORONER'S, AND MEDICAL EXAMINER'S  RECORDS
AND EXHIBITS CONCERNING THE DECEDENT; AND
  (III)  ALL RECORDS AND PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCY RECORDS AVAILABLE PURSUANT
TO ARTICLES SIX AND SIX-A OF THE PUBLIC OFFICERS LAW, EXCEPT THAT  WHERE
AN  AGENCY CLAIMS AN EXEMPTION FROM DISCLOSURE UNDER SUCH ARTICLE SIX OR
SIX-A, THEN, IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE REMEDY,  THE  BOARD  MAY
PROCEED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH B OF THIS SUBDIVISION.
  B.  (I) THE BOARD MAY ALSO REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FROM A COURT TO EXAM-
INE AND RECEIVE WITHOUT CHARGE PHOTOCOPIES OR PHOTOGRAPHS OF  ANY  OTHER
RECORD  OR DOCUMENT IN THE POSSESSION OF ANY STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL

S. 1925                             4

ENTITY, WHERE SUCH RECORD MAY REASONABLY ASSIST THE BOARD IN  CONDUCTING
ITS INVESTIGATION. THIS INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO:
  (A) SEALED COURT RECORDS AND CONFIDENTIAL POLICE, PROSECUTION, AND LAW
ENFORCEMENT  AGENCY  REPORTS  AND  RECORDS  CONCERNING INVESTIGATIONS IN
WHICH THE  DECEDENT  OR  THE  ALLEGED  PERPETRATOR  WAS  A  COMPLAINANT,
RESPONDENT, DEFENDANT, WITNESS, OR ALLEGED VICTIM;
  (B)  RECORDS CONCERNING THE DECEDENT OR HER OR HIS CHILDREN MAINTAINED
BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS, AS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH (A)  OF  SUBDIVI-
SION  FOUR  OF  SECTION FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY-NINE-A OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES
LAW;
  (C) RECORDS CONCERNING THE DECEDENT,  HER  OR  HIS  CHILDREN,  OR  THE
ALLEGED  PERPETRATOR MAINTAINED PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE HUNDRED SEVEN-
TY-TWO OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW;
  (D) RECORDS CONCERNING THE DECEDENT,  HER  OR  HIS  CHILDREN,  OR  THE
ALLEGED  PERPETRATOR  MAINTAINED  BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY ASSISTANCE
PURSUANT TO SECTION FOUR HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES  LAW;
AND
  (E)  SEALED  COURT  RECORDS  OF  MATRIMONIAL  ACTIONS  OR  PROCEEDINGS
DESCRIBED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE  OF  THE
DOMESTIC  RELATIONS  LAW INVOLVING THE DECEDENT OR THE ALLEGED PERPETRA-
TOR.
  (II) UNLESS A COURT ORDERS OTHERWISE, THE APPLICATION PURSUANT TO THIS
PARAGRAPH SHALL BE MADE ON AT LEAST FIVE  DAYS'  NOTICE  TO  THE  PERSON
HAVING  CUSTODY  OF  THE RECORD OR DOCUMENT, TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF
THE JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE DECEDENT IS BELIEVED TO HAVE DIED, AND  TO
ALL PERSONS, INCLUDING SURVIVING FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE DECEDENT, BUT NOT
INCLUDING  THE  ALLEGED  PERPETRATOR,  WHOM  THE  COURT DETERMINES WOULD
REASONABLY HAVE AN INTEREST IN THE PRIVACY OF SUCH RECORD OR DOCUMENT.
  (III) WHERE THE APPLICATION  IS  TO  REVIEW  A  CONFIDENTIAL  JUDICIAL
RECORD,  THE  APPLICATION SHALL BE MADE TO THE COURT WHERE THE RECORD IS
MAINTAINED.
  (IV) WHERE THE APPLICATION IS TO REVIEW A CONFIDENTIAL RECORD OR DOCU-
MENT MAINTAINED BY A NON-JUDICIAL STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENTITY,  THE
APPLICATION  SHALL  BE BROUGHT IN THE SUPREME COURT IN THE COUNTY SPECI-
FIED IN SUBDIVISION (B) OF SECTION FIVE HUNDRED SIX OF THE  CIVIL  PRAC-
TICE LAW AND RULES, EXCEPT AS THAT SUBDIVISION OTHERWISE PROVIDES.
  (V)  IN  ANY  SUCH  PROCEEDING, THE COURT MAY ISSUE A PROTECTIVE ORDER
DENYING, LIMITING, OR CONDITIONING ACCESS TO THE CONFIDENTIAL RECORD  OR
DOCUMENT WHEN PRODUCING THE RECORD OR DOCUMENT WOULD ENDANGER THE INTEG-
RITY  OF  PHYSICAL EVIDENCE, CREATE A SUBSTANTIAL RISK OF PHYSICAL HARM,
INTIMIDATION, ECONOMIC COERCION, OR BRIBERY, OR HAVE A SERIOUSLY ADVERSE
EFFECT UPON THE LEGITIMATE NEEDS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.
  C. IN CONNECTION WITH AN APPLICATION UNDER THIS SECTION OR ANY  APPEAL
THEREFROM  OR  ANY  OTHER  LEGAL  MATTER, THE BOARD SHALL BE ENTITLED TO
REPRESENTATION BY PRIVATE COUNSEL OF ITS CHOICE  WHENEVER  THE  ATTORNEY
GENERAL  DETERMINES,  BASED  UPON HIS OR HER INVESTIGATION AND REVIEW OF
THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES, THAT REPRESENTATION BY  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF
LAW  WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL NOTIFY THE BOARD
IN WRITING OF SUCH DETERMINATION THAT THE BOARD IS ENTITLED  TO  PRIVATE
COUNSEL.  IF  THE BOARD IS ENTITLED TO REPRESENTATION BY PRIVATE COUNSEL
UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PARAGRAPH, THE ATTORNEY  GENERAL  SHALL  SO
CERTIFY  TO  THE COMPTROLLER.  REASONABLE ATTORNEYS' FEES AND LITIGATION
EXPENSES SHALL BE PAID BY THE STATE TO SUCH  PRIVATE  COUNSEL  FOR  SUCH
REPRESENTATION UPON THE AUDIT AND WARRANT OF THE COMPTROLLER.
  6.  NEITHER THE BOARD NOR ANY MEMBER THEREOF SHALL DISCLOSE ANY INFOR-
MATION OBTAINED BY THE BOARD OR A BOARD MEMBER WHICH IS CONFIDENTIAL  BY

S. 1925                             5

LAW.  UNAUTHORIZED  DISCLOSURE  OF  SUCH  CONFIDENTIAL  INFORMATION BY A
MEMBER OF THE BOARD MAY RESULT IN REMOVAL OF  SUCH  MEMBER  BY  MAJORITY
BOARD VOTE, AFTER NOTICE TO SUCH MEMBER AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD.
  7.  THE  BOARD  SHALL  BE  ENTITLED  TO REQUEST AND RECEIVE, AND SHALL
UTILIZE AND BE PROVIDED WITH, SUCH FACILITIES  AND  RESOURCES  FROM  ANY
DEPARTMENT,  DIVISION,  BOARD,  BUREAU, COMMISSION, OR ANY AGENCY OF THE
STATE OR ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION THEREOF AS ARE  REASONABLY  NECESSARY
TO CARRY OUT ITS RESPONSIBILITIES. IF REQUESTED BY THE BOARD, THE OFFICE
FOR  THE PREVENTION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHALL FURNISH REASONABLE OFFICE
SPACE AND DAY-TO-DAY STAFF SUPPORT TO THE  BOARD  WITHIN  ITS  AVAILABLE
RESOURCES.
  8. AS USED IN THIS SECTION:
  A.  "ALLEGED  PERPETRATOR"  MEANS THE PERSON OR PERSONS WHOM THE BOARD
REASONABLY BELIEVES TO HAVE TAKEN OR PROCURED THE TAKING OF THE LIFE  OF
THE DECEDENT.
  B. "DECEDENT" MEANS THE PERSON WHOSE DEATH THE BOARD IS INVESTIGATING.
  S  3.  This  act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall
have become a law.

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