Advocate Guides
These guides are periodically updated and can be used as a Quick Reference to New York State laws regarding crime victims’ issues.
Other Resources
Agency Resources:
The Frequently Asked Questions section of this website is useful to both victims and advocates.
OVS staff provides training to Victim Assistance Programs (VAPs). To attend or arrange a training, login to our training calendar (described below) or contact your Program Monitor for information about the types of training available.
VAPs have the ability to login (see box, above right) to access the OVS Grants Unit Contacts, a training calendar and a VAP Advocate Forum. The calendar will allow VAPs to propose any training or events in their area. After OVS has approved the training, it will be posted on the calendar. The Advocate Forum can be used as an aid for VAPs to post relevant questions and then allow other VAPs to input their experience on a subject matter.
OVS staff also provides training in other specific areas impacting victims, including Restitution and the Direct Reimbursement of Forensic RAPE/Sexual Assault Examinations (FRE). For additional information related to these subjects or live training opportunities, please contact the Legal Unit.
During the course of a Legislative Session, thousands of bills are introduced to amend every aspect of New York State Law. Of those bills introduced, the OVS monitors legislation which relates to crime and crime victims generally and that which would impact the operation of the OVS specifically. This is a list of those bills which the OVS is monitoring, but is by no means exhaustive. This list is periodically updated to include newly introduced legislation. For current status, bill text and memorandum in support, please use the New York State Legislative Information link described below.
The OVS makes every effort to keep you well informed of everything which impacts the agency and the claimants it serves (via Public Advisory Bulletins and Broadcast Emails), but there may be some issues or topics which an advocate or victim is interested in, which the OVS does not necessarily highlight.
There are several, additional resources for advocates and others to keep themselves informed of what is occurring in New York State and at the federal level.
State Resources:
In New York State Legislative Information you can obtain information about legislation which has been introduced, the floor calendars or committee agendas in the New York State Legislature, measures which have been enacted into law and their Approval Messages and the laws of New York State.
The Governor’s Press Releases are also a useful way to keep informed of not only the new laws which have been enacted, but other actions by the Governor, state agencies and others.
Federal Resources:
With the Library of Congress’ THOMAS site, you can obtain information about federal legislation, appropriation bills, committee reports, Presidential nominations, roll call votes and many other topics.
 |
All Documents are in the PDF format.
Please click here to download the free Adobe Acrobat Viewer. |