NY S08599

Establishes a domestic violence accountability program within the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, consisting of 26-52 one-hour to one-and-a-half-hour sessions with classroom instruction on topics determined by the executive director.

Requires the program to be available in at least every county in the state, unless the executive director determines insufficient domestic violence offenses warrant a local course, in which case residents may attend courses in neighboring counties.

Makes participation mandatory for persons convicted of domestic abuse offenses or adjudicated as youthful offenders for domestic abuse offenses who meet established criteria, though the executive director may reject applicants at their discretion.

Establishes a fee schedule to be paid by participants to defray program expenses, with fees non-refundable under any circumstance, though municipalities and agencies may conduct courses with partial or full cost coverage under agreement.

Requires defendants convicted of offenses under titles H, I, or O of the penal law (or attempts thereof) involving family or household members to complete a domestic violence accountability program as a condition of conditional discharge, probation, or parole.