Narrative of Resolution:
title
Urge Governor Hochul to sign the Grieving Families Act into Law
end
body
If Resolution requires expenditure of County Funds, provide the following information:
Amount to be authorized by Resolution: $0
Are funds already budgeted? Choose an item.
Specify Compliance with Procurement Procedures:
RESOLUTION SPONSORED BY TERRY BERNARDO, DISTRICT 9 LEGISLATOR AND COSPONSORED BY MATTHEW MCPHILLIPS, DISTRICT 1 LEGISLATOR, BRIAN MCPHILLIPS, DISTRICT 3 LEGISLATOR, CATHERINE SCOTT, DISTRICT 5 LEGISLATOR AND LUIS ALVAREZ, DISTRICT 6 LEGISLATOR URGING GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL TO SIGN SENATE BILL S6636 AND ASSEMBLY BILL A6698 AN ACT TO AMEND THE ESTATES, POWERS AND TRUSTS LAW IN RELATION TO THE PAYMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF DAMAGES IN WRONGFUL DEATH ACTIONS INTO LAW
WHEREAS, Travis Shane Davis, a lifelong resident of Livingston Manor and an employee of the Town of Rockland Highway Department was tragically killed in a traffic accident on August 11, 2024 and the other driver was ticketed for not yielding the right of way. Because Mr. Davis was unmarried and without children, New York State law left his parents no recourse under current law for their grief, emotional pain, and suffering at the loss of their only child.
WHEREAS, in 2024, New York State is one of only two states in the U.S. that has not amended or updated its wrongful death law enacted in 1847. Under the current 177-year old law, an award for wrongful death is limited to compensation for economic loss only, effectively telling close family members that the love, companionship and guidance their loved on once provided means nothing; that the grief, emotional suffering and profound loss they have experienced means nothing; and that the loved one they tragically lost because of someone else's negligence has no value because he/she does not fit the very narrow, antiquated definition of family as defined 177 years ago.
WHEREAS, In 2024 families come in all s...
Click here for full text