NY S09427

Expands New York's coercion statute (Penal Law § 135.60) to include causing physical injury to an animal as a form of criminal coercion, alongside existing protections for persons

Amends Executive Law § 575 to require training for psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers conducting court-ordered forensic evaluations to include recognition of threats or harm to animals as a tactic of coercive control

Training updates apply to professionals evaluating child custody and visitation cases involving domestic violence

Requires the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence to coordinate with a federally designated organization to develop and update the training program at least once every two years

Takes effect immediately upon passage