Authorizes a victim of domestic violence to apply to the county clerk to remove the violent felony offender from deed of co-owned real property in such county.
Summary
This bill would create a new section of the Executive Law allowing a victim of domestic violence to apply to the county clerk to remove the name of a person convicted of the violent felony offense that constituted the domestic violence from the deed to jointly owned real property. The bill defines “victim of domestic violence” broadly to include a person harmed, or placed at substantial risk of harm, by an act that would be a violent felony offense and that was committed or allegedly committed by a family or household member.
The application would be made to the county clerk in the county where the property is located, and the clerk would determine the form and manner of the application. The bill takes effect immediately and is aimed at helping survivors separate their property interests from abusers without necessarily requiring a separate civil action to alter title records.
Impact
The bill would amend the Executive Law by adding a new section 577, creating a state-level administrative process for removing an abusive co-owner’s name from a deed when the underlying conduct involved a violent felony offense and domestic violence. It would affect county clerks, real property title records, and victims of domestic violence who jointly own property with an offender, potentially simplifying title cleanup and reducing barriers to securing independent ownership after abuse.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes, the measure appears to be framed as a protective, survivor-focused proposal with a generally supportive policy intent. Its purpose is remedial rather than punitive, and it is presented as a practical tool for victims seeking to disentangle property ownership from an abusive partner. No formal opposition or recorded controversy is available in the provided materials.
Contention
The main potential points of contention are procedural and legal rather than ideological: whether a county clerk should have authority to alter deed records through an application process, what proof should be required to establish domestic violence and ownership eligibility, and how the rights of the removed co-owner would be protected. Questions could also arise about due process, the relationship between this administrative remedy and existing property or family court procedures, and whether the bill’s definition of domestic violence is broad enough or too broad for deed modification purposes.
Same As
Authorizes a victim of domestic violence to apply to the county clerk to remove the violent felony offender from deed of co-owned real property in such county.
Authorizes a victim of domestic violence to apply to the county clerk to remove the violent felony offender from deed of co-owned real property in such county.
Authorizes a victim of domestic violence to apply to the county clerk to remove the violent felony offender from deed of co-owned real property in such county.