Restore Access to Temporary Assistance for Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence and Other Crimes

New York already treats immigrant victims of crime, including trafficking and domestic violence as PRUCOL for Medicaid eligibility purposes. We see no reason to treat these individuals differently for public assistance purposes, particularly when they previously would have been eligible and the only change is one of terminology. Read More

Empire Justice Memo of Support - Strengthen the Enforceability of Orders of Protection

This legislation would correct inconsistencies and limitations in existing law governing penalties for repeat violations of orders of protection, and would provide equivalent protections for all victims of domestic violence. A.10492-Lentol/S.7411-Volker Read More

Empire Justice Memo of Support - Provide Protection to All New Yorkers in Need

For many domestic violence survivors, access to civil orders of protection provides significantly quicker access to a court and to effective relief that will address and curtail the devastating impact of intimate partner violence. S.6783 (Winner)/A.6060A (Weinstein) Read More

Empire Justice Center Letter in Support of Bill to Protect Confidentiality

This important bill allows home based family child care providers to opt out of the requirement that their names and addresses be posted on the website of the Office of Children and Family Services. Read More

Empire Justice Urges Governor to Sign Bill to Improve Access to Child Care Assistance

This bill encourages applicants for and recipients of child care subsidies to obtain orders of child support, but makes clear that such applicants and recipients may not be required to obtain such orders as a condition of receiving a subsidy. Read More

Empire Justice Center Letter of Support for Bill to Protect DV Victims' Confidentiality

A.3468/ S.4334c would automatically require a court to temporarily order the sealing and safeguarding of a name change applicant’s identifying information, pleadings and other court records after a case is commenced under Civil Rights Law §64-a. Read More

Empire Justice Comments on New York State's TANF State Plan 2009-2011

Testimony focuses on the public assistance gross income eligibility test, the resource test as applied to automobiles, the implementation of the Family Violence Options and the education and training rules. Read More

Empire Justice Comments on Public Assistance and Child Care Laws

Empire Justice submits concerns and recommendations to the Office of Children and Family Services regarding current regulations. Read More

Empire Justice Center Testimony at the Executive Budget Hearing on Human Services

Testimony before the Joint Legislative Committees on human services in the 2010-2011 executive budget. Read More

Empire Justice Center Testimony on the Governor's Proposed Deficit Reduction Plan

In the Governor’s proposed Deficit Reduction Plan, several funding streams, are slated for substantial cuts that will not only undermine your commitment and the Assembly’s commitment to legal assistance, but will also result in INCREASED costs to the state. Read More

Empire Justice Center Testimony at the Public Protection Hearing for 2009-2010

For the Empire Justice Center, state funding is a critical part of our annual budget – with it we are able to provide training, support and technical assistance in a broad array of substantive law areas to legal services staff throughout the state. Read More