New York's Kyra's Law (A.6194-C) was delivered to Governor Kathy Hochul on June 15, 2026, after passing both legislative chambers on June 5. The bill amends N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 240 to require judges to resolve domestic-violence and child-abuse allegations as a threshold safety question—before weighing any other custody factor. Hochul has until December 31, 2026, to sign or veto.
Key Facts
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| What happened | Kyra's Law (A.6194-C) passed the NY Legislature and was sent to the Governor |
| When | Passed both chambers June 5, 2026; delivered to Hochul June 15, 2026 |
| Where | New York State |
| Who's affected | Parents in custody disputes involving abuse or domestic-violence allegations |
| Key statute | Amends N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 240 |
| Impact | Judges must resolve and document safety allegations before other custody factors |
Why this matters legally
Kyra's Law restructures how New York courts must sequence custody decisions when abuse is alleged. Under the bill, a judge cannot weigh ordinary best-interest factors—such as parental cooperation or a child's stated preference—until the court first investigates, resolves, and documents any allegation of domestic violence or child abuse. This is a procedural ordering requirement, and it is significant because it removes judicial discretion to defer or sidestep safety questions.
The legislation also limits courts' reliance on disputed psychological theories, most notably what is commonly called "parental alienation," when those theories are used to discredit a parent reporting abuse. New York courts have long applied a best-interest standard under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 240, but that standard gave judges broad latitude over how to weigh competing claims. Kyra's Law narrows that latitude by mandating a safety-first analysis and a written record of the court's findings.
The bill is named for Kyra Franchetti, a 2-year-old killed by her father during a court-ordered unsupervised visit in 2016, according to Spectrum Local News. Advocates have pushed versions of the bill for several legislative sessions, and the 2026 passage marks the first time it cleared both chambers.
How New York law handles this
New York currently determines custody under the best-interests-of-the-child standard codified in N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 240, which directs courts to consider domestic violence as one factor among many. Existing law already requires a judge to consider proven domestic violence when making an award, but it does not require the court to resolve the allegation first or to issue written findings on the safety question before turning to other factors.
Kyra's Law changes that sequence. If signed, the amended statute would require the court to make a threshold determination on safety, document the basis for that determination, and only then proceed to the broader best-interest analysis. The bill also addresses N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 240's evidentiary framework by restricting the use of unsupported psychological theories that minimize abuse reports.
New York's existing protective framework includes orders of protection under N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 240 and Family Court Act remedies, but those tools depend on a parent affirmatively seeking relief. Kyra's Law shifts part of the burden to the court itself, requiring judicial inquiry into safety as a built-in step. The bill aligns New York with the federal Keeping Children Safe From Family Violence Act—commonly called Kayden's Law—passed by Congress in 2022, which incentivized states to adopt similar custody-court reforms.
For New York families, the practical effect is that a contested custody proceeding involving abuse allegations would carry a mandatory, documented safety evaluation. Parents who allege abuse would have a statutory guarantee that the court must address the claim on the record, rather than rolling it into a discretionary best-interest balancing test.
Practical takeaways
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Watch the signing window. Governor Hochul has until December 31, 2026, to act. Kyra's Law does not take effect unless and until she signs it, and an effective date would follow signature. Pending custody matters remain governed by current N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 240 until then.
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Document safety concerns thoroughly. If your custody case involves domestic violence or child abuse, preserve police reports, medical records, photographs, text messages, and witness statements. Kyra's Law would make the court's threshold safety finding turn on the record before it, so a well-documented file matters more under the new framework.
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Understand the procedural shift. Under Kyra's Law, a judge must resolve safety allegations before weighing factors like co-parenting cooperation. A parent reporting abuse should be prepared to present that evidence early in the proceeding rather than later.
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Know how alienation arguments may be treated. The bill restricts reliance on disputed psychological theories used to discredit abuse claims. Litigants should consult counsel about how this provision could affect expert testimony in their specific case.
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Consult a New York family law attorney about timing. Whether your matter is filed now or after a potential signing could change which standard applies. A New York attorney can advise on filing strategy in light of the pending legislation.
If you are navigating a New York custody dispute—especially one involving safety concerns—it helps to understand how these rules apply to your specific facts. Divorce.law connects New York residents with family law attorneys who handle contested custody and protective-order matters across the state.
This article discusses recent news and provides general legal commentary. It does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult a qualified family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.