Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
October 05, 2026
Kyra's Law Awaits Governor's Signature, Could Transform NY Custody Cases
TLDR
- Parents in custody disputes gain an edge by gathering police reports and messages before Kyra's Law deadlines begin.
- Kyra's Law mandates evidentiary hearings within 20 court days and expands admissible evidence like protection orders and abuse patterns.
- Kyra's Law aims to protect children from unsafe custody arrangements by prioritizing evidence and faster court intervention.
- Kyra's Law, named for a child killed in 2016, awaits Governor Hochul's decision and would take effect 270 days after signing.
Impact - Why it Matters
This news matters because it directly affects how custody disputes are handled in New York, particularly when domestic violence or child safety is a concern. If signed, Kyra's Law would expedite hearings, broaden admissible evidence, restrict unsupervised visitation for parents deemed a risk, and mandate judicial training. These changes could prevent tragedies like Kyra Franchetti's death and give parents and children a safer, more responsive legal process. For families navigating custody battles, the bill signals a shift toward prioritizing evidence and safety, urging them to prepare records early. The outcome will set a precedent for how courts balance parental rights with child protection, potentially influencing legislation beyond New York.
Summary
Ten years after 2-year-old Kyra Franchetti was killed by her father during a court-ordered unsupervised visit, the bill bearing her name is awaiting Governor Kathy Hochul's decision. Kyra's Law (A6194C/S5998) passed the Senate 60-0 on June 4 and the Assembly on June 5, according to the New York State Senate, and the governor has until the end of the year to act. In August, advocates urging her to sign honored 46 children who have died in New York custody-related cases since 2016, as reported by CBS6 Albany.
For families in Rockland County going through a custody dispute, the bill would bring new deadlines and evidence rules into the courtroom, according to Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. Parents on either side of an abuse allegation would need to be ready much sooner than they are today. The firm's family law lawyer in New City, NY provides counsel and representation to parents on custody, visitation, divorce, and related family court matters. Kyra's Law would mandate faster hearings within 20 court days of a credible allegation of domestic violence or risk to a child's safety, allow broader evidence such as order of protection and sex offender registries, police reports, and abuse patterns without formal certification, limit unsupervised time through a rebuttable presumption against unsupervised custody for a parent posing substantial risk, and require judges to complete domestic violence and child abuse training before presiding over contested custody cases. If signed, the law takes effect 270 days later.
"Whether a parent is raising safety concerns or responding to them, this bill puts evidence at the center of the case, and it moves fast," said Paul Goldhamer, founding partner of the firm. "Parents should start gathering records now, including police reports, messages, and medical documentation, rather than waiting until a hearing is scheduled." Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. has served families and individuals in New York and New Jersey since 1975 and became a family firm in 1985. Founding partner Paul Goldhamer leads the divorce and matrimonial practice. Parents facing a custody question can call toll-free at (866) 971-0927 or reach the firm online to arrange a consultation.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content distributed by 24-7 Press Release. Read the original source here, Kyra's Law Awaits Governor's Signature, Could Transform NY Custody Cases
