Governor Hochul Signs Domestic Violence Legislative Package

Governor Hochul Signs Domestic Violence Legislative Package

Governor Kathy Hochul on October 28, signed a domestic violence legislative package into law. Legislation S.1557/A.4496 requires the release of individuals from utility corporation services in instances of domestic violence. Legislation S.1555A/A.465-A will make it easier for a victim of domestic violence to apply to have their voter registration records sealed from public view. "My mother worked with domestic violence survivors all her life, and I'm proud to continue the mission to put an end to abuse and support the needs of survivors and families," Governor Hochul said. "Requiring utility companies to release survivors of domestic violence from their contracts freeing up funds for necessities as they get their feet on the ground in a new home and keeping those new homes' addresses confidential ensures survivors can live there safely." Legislation S.1557/A.4496 amends the public service law in relation to requiring the release of individuals from utility corporation services in instances of domestic violence. This legislation provides an escape clause for victims of domestic violence so they will not have to continue paying for services at a location they have fled. Assemblymember Carmen De La Rosa said, "We thank Governor Hochul for signing this important legislation that will go a long way in returning dignity to survivors of abuse. Intimate partner violence manifest itself in physical, verbal, and economic abuse. This legislation will allow survivors a release to ensure that can rebuild their lives and futures." Legislation S.1555A/A.465-A amends the election law to ease the process for keeping a registered voter's name and address from being disclosed to the public. Previously, a victim of domestic violence would have to apply to the Supreme Court for a court order to keep the information from being disclosed. Now, a victim of domestic violence can make an affirmation directly to the Board of Elections asking for the voter registration information to be kept confidential for four years. Assemblymember Nily Rozic said, "No survivor should have to give up their right to vote in order to protect themselves from abuse. This law will ensure that survivors of domestic violence have a fair and straightforward way to keep their voter registration details confidential enabling them to vote without fear. I applaud Governor Hochul for signing this crucial legislation into law to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers."l

Gov Hochul. Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com Compatibility continued from page 15

Spirituality Religion can be a touchy subject, even for people who love each other. For instance, an atheist and a devout Christian would certainly lack spiritual compatibility. However, people do change their religious views or convert to another faith. Religion is a topic that couples should discuss openly and honestly.

Perfect compatibility is not a requirement for a good, loving relationship. However, it does help to have similar values, ethics, and goals. People that have the same goals and dreams are more likely to work together to achieve them. Compatibility is not the only quality necessary for a healthy, lasting relationship. Communication and compromise are vital in developing and maintaining a great relationship. Love, compatibility, good communication, and compromise are the ingredients for a great relationship. l

$1/Day Labor Program for Immigrants in Detention Ruled Unlawful in Washington State

BY REBEKAH WOLF

In a landmark court decision, Geo Group—one of the largest private prison companies that own and/or manage dozens of immigrant detention centers across the United States—was found to have violated Washington state’s minimum wage laws. The company has been ordered to pay over $23 million, $17.3 million of which will go directly to immigrants who were paid just $1/day for labor inside the detention center in backpay. This decision comes after years of attempts to challenge the so-called “dollar-a-day” program, which is a coercive practice forcing many immigrants to work for insignificant pay that exists in immigration detention centers throughout the United States. The judge’s decision in the Washington case sets a new precedent, ruling that immigrants who work while held in detention are in fact employees and therefore subject to minimum wage laws. Owning and operating private immigration detention centers is an extremely lucrative business. Part of what makes them so profitable is that internal operations such as cooking and cleaning are often “in-sourced” to the people who are detained, being paid $1/day. The Washington lawsuit began in 2017 when the state’s attorney general sued Geo Group for unjust enrichment— claiming that the company was unfairly enriching itself by bypassing regular labor laws. Separately, private attorneys brought claims on behalf of individuals at a detention center in Tacoma, asking for back-pay. The judge eventually ruled in favor of both, granting $17.3 million in back pay to individual workers. Another $5.9 million went to Washington state as repayment for the unjust enrichment. Advocates have struggled to challenge the practice of using the labor by detained individuals in detention centers at extremely low wages for years. Some have even compared its use to labor trafficking, claiming it arguably violates the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Others have argued it violates the United States’ anti-slavery laws. Lawsuits have been brought against major private prison companies like Geo Group and CoreCivic in states around the country, but with various levels of success. The government regularly argues that the detained people aren’t “employees” and that participation in the work is voluntary. But detainees have reported threats of punishment if they refuse the work, such as being placed in solitary confinement or forgoing the ability to purchase necessities from the commissary. Exploiting detained immigrants for their labor—at $1 per day and sometimes less—is inhumane. With the recent decision in the Washington lawsuit as precedent, hopefully fewer people will remain trapped in detention as the cost of detention for the government increases with labor costs, and more of those that do will receive fair wages for their work inside detention centers.l

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