N.Y. Public Health Law § 2805-z: Hospital domestic violence policies and procedures

§ 2805-z. Hospital domestic violence policies and procedures. 1. Every

general hospital shall: (a) develop, maintain and disseminate written

policies and procedures for the identification, assessment, treatment

and referral of confirmed or suspected cases of domestic violence; (b)

establish, and implement on an ongoing basis, a training program for all

nursing, medical, social work and other clinical personnel, and security

personnel working in hospital service units regarding the policies and

procedures established pursuant to this section; and (c) designate a

staff member to contact the domestic violence or victim assistance

organization identified by the commissioner under subdivision three of

this section providing victim assistance to the geographic area served

by such hospital to establish the coordination of services to domestic

violence victims.

2. Upon admittance or commencement of treatment of a confirmed or

suspected domestic violence victim, such hospital shall advise the

victim of the availability of the services of a domestic violence or

victim assistance organization. If after receiving such advice the

domestic violence victim wishes the presence of a domestic violence or

victim assistance advocate, such hospital shall contact the appropriate

organization and request that one be provided.

3. The commissioner shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may

be necessary and proper to carry out effectively the provisions of this

section. Prior to promulgating such rules and regulations, the

commissioner shall consult with the office for the prevention of

domestic violence and other such persons as the commissioner deems

necessary to develop a model policy for hospitals to utilize in

complying with this section and to identify the domestic violence or

victim assistance organizations operating in each hospital's geographic

area, a list of which the commissioner shall provide to hospitals with

the model policy.