NY S06288

Establishes "Melanie's law" to amend the Family Court Act and Criminal Procedure Law regarding orders of protection in family offense proceedings.

Expands the definition of "members of the same family or household" to include persons related by consanguinity or affinity to parties in intimate relationships, allowing courts to issue protective orders for extended family members.

Clarifies that courts shall not deny an order of protection or dismiss a petition solely because the alleged acts are not relatively contemporaneous with the petition date or fact-finding conclusion.

Maintains concurrent jurisdiction between family court and criminal courts over family offense proceedings, with family court having exclusive jurisdiction only when the respondent would not be criminally responsible due to age under Penal Law section 30.00.

Takes effect immediately upon enactment.