“The first bill before me is Intro. 366-A, sponsored by Council Members Boyland, Baez, Barron, Clarke, Dilan, Foster, Gennaro, Gerson, Gioia, Koppell, Liu, Lopez, Martinez, Monserrate, Nelson, Perkins, Reed, Rivera, Sanders, Seabrook, Stewart, Vann, Weprin, Yassky, Quinn, Brewer, Fidler, Gonzalez, Palma, Recchia, Reyna, Vallone, Jackson, Speaker Miller and Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum.  This bill creates a domestic violence fatality review committee that will examine information regarding domestic violence fatalities that occur in New York City.

“Domestic violence homicides have declined 22% this year, but even one death from domestic violence is too many.   Intro. 366-A creates a committee to review information on domestic violence fatalities and to formulate recommendations to improve services and reduce domestic violence deaths.  The ten member committee will be lead by the Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence and will be comprised of five agency Commissioners or their designees, two survivors of domestic violence and two service providers.  All will be Mayoral appointees.  When fully implemented, Intro. 366-A will enhance the City’s ability to combat domestic violence. 

“I would like to thank the City Council, The Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence Commissioner Yolanda Jimenez, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Tom Frieden, Police Department Commissioner Ray Kelly, the New York City Law Department and all the agency staff who worked on this bill for their hard work and dedication to this issue.”