On Aug. 20, Gov. Cuomo signed a law to (1) expand the definition
of "victim of domestic violence," (2) specifically make
victims of domestic violence a protected class in the NYSHRL and
(3) require certain accommodations for victims of domestic
violence. The law is effective Nov. 18.
The definition of domestic violence victim is now:
[A]ny person over the age of sixteen, any married person or any
parent accompanied by his or her minor child or children in
situations in which such person or such person's child is a
victim of an act which would constitute a violation of the penal
law, including, but not limited to acts constituting disorderly
conduct, harassment, aggravated harassment, sexual misconduct,
forcible touching, sexual abuse, stalking, criminal mischief,
menacing, reckless endangerment, kidnapping, assault, attempted
assault, attempted murder, criminal obstruction of breathing or
blood circulation, or strangulation; and
