New York Consolidated Laws, Public Health Law - PBH § 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.