ALBANY - The New York State Senate Wednesday passed legislation, sponsored by State Senator Car Marcellino (R, Syosset), that requires the Board of Parole to notify victims of domestic violence when the convicted inmate is to be released.

Domestic violence continues to be one of the most troubling problems facing New York. One of the complexities of this issue is that the perpetrator is often a repeat offender, unable and unwilling to moderate their behavior and control their anger. Because of this dysfunction, domestic violence offenders often have a tendency to immediately seek out the person who originally had the courage to press charges. According to the National Coalition of Victims Against Domestic Violence, there were 50,088 reported cases of domestic violence in New York in 2006.

Under the provisions of the bill, victims would be notified of their attackers’ impending release via certified mail. If the victim’s location is a shelter, the notification will be sent directly to the shelter.

The bill was sent to the Assembly.