\u201cThese are preventable homicides,\u201d Franchetti said. \u201cKyra should be here. She should be entering seventh grade.\u201d<\/p>\n
Franchetti leads a coalition that includes family court lawyers, abuse victims, leather-clad bikers and the Saratoga County district attorney. They\u2019ve been pleading with Hochul to sign the bill, which is one of 759 that passed both houses<\/a> of the state Legislature this year and landed on her desk.<\/p>\n The Democratic governor has said she personally reads each bill that comes before her, and she has a habit of not tipping her hand about how she will act on pending measures. Hochul has until the end of the year to sign or veto the bill.<\/p>\n She could also negotiate changes with legislators, who would agree to pass a \u201cchapter amendment\u201d next year in exchange for Hochul\u2019s signature.<\/p>\n \u201cProtecting the health and safety of all New Yorkers, especially vulnerable children, is the governor’s top priority and she will review the legislation,\u201d Hochul spokesperson Nicolette Simmonds said. The governor previously signed a law that strengthens orders of protection<\/a> against abusive parents.<\/p>\n Jimmy Vielkind<\/p>\n \/<\/p>\n New York Public News Network<\/p>\n A memorial to deceased children.<\/p>\n Kyra\u2019s Law seeks to make child safety a top priority in custody decisions, considered before judges weigh other factors about the best interests of the child. It would require judges to review allegations of domestic violence or child abuse prior to issuing temporary or final orders of custody or visitation.<\/p>\n The New York State Family Court Judges Association sent a letter to Hochul asking her to veto the measure.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile the association deeply sympathizes and appreciates the gravity of the events that prompted the creation of Kyra\u2019s Law and the Legislature\u2019s desire to prevent future tragedies, the bill as written would create numerous unintended consequences that defeat the purpose and intent behind Kyra\u2019s Law,\u201d the judges wrote.<\/p>\n The judges said they are already weighing a number of factors in these cases and that the bill would erode their discretion. They also said the law would prompt an \u201coverwhelming increase\u201d in the number of required hearings and have \u201can adverse structural impact on how courts operate.\u201d<\/p>\n The state\u2019s court system takes no position on the measure, Office of Court Administration spokesperson Al Baker said.<\/p>\n Tim Tippins, who practices family law and teaches at Albany Law School, said courts have often yielded to mental health professionals regarding what\u2019s best for a child. That has often meant spending time with and maintaining a relationship with both parents.<\/p>\n \u201cKyra’s Law \u2026 says safety first,\u201d Tippins said. \u201cYou don’t have to worry about all the fancy theories, which are nothing more than pseudoscience.\u201d<\/p>\n The American Psychological Association says in guidelines for child custody cases<\/a> that practitioners are able to consider and balance parenting attributes, as well as a child\u2019s welfare and their psychological needs.<\/p>\n \u201cThe training of psychologists provides them with unique skills and qualifications to address these issues,\u201d the APA guidelines state.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1788608411_237_.jpeg\"\/)
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