New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the legislation expanding support for victims of domestic violence and hate crimes became effective on Monday.

Under the new law, individuals who were not physically injured during a domestic violence or certain hate crimes will now be able to apply for reimbursement of shelter cost and crime scene clean-up expenses. They can submit their applications for reimbursement to the New York State Office of Victim Services (OVS).

New York is committed to helping crime victims recover

In a statement, Cuomo said New York is “one of the first states to provide compensation to crime victims. The new law reaffirms his administration’s commitment to helping these individuals and their family members go through the healing process, which is their top priority.

"By providing greater protections for innocent victims of crime, we are ensuring individuals who have endured the pain and suffering of these horrific events receive the support they need to recover," said the governor.

On the other hand, New York Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul commented, "This new law will ensure that crime victims have access to essential resources to help them recover. New York is leading the way to protect the most vulnerable and strengthen our society."

In the past, individuals who did not sustain an injury during crimes were only eligible to obtain certain benefits from the OVS such moving and counselling expenses. They are not eligible to request for financial assistance for crime scene clean-up and housing.

Meanwhile, OVS Director Elizabeth Ronin said the new law will help more crime victims across the state. She noted that the “emotional effects of a crimes can be as just damaging” to a person.

Cuomo implemented a series of legislative changes to help crime victims

Cuomo had been implementing legislative changes and increasing funding to expand eligibility and improve services for crime victims.

Some of these changes include broadening access to civil legal assistance for victims of crime; improving services for vulnerable adults at risk of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation; and increasing the numbers of advocacy centers and funding mobile centers for child abuse victims.

The funding for the legislative changes and the daily operations of the OVS come from fines, mandatory surcharges and crime victim assistance fees paid by certain offenders following conviction in New York State or federal courts.