§ 625-A — Information relative to claims; application forms

§ 625-a. Information relative to claims; application forms. 1. Every\npolice station, precinct house, any appropriate location where a crime\nmay be reported and any location required by the rules and regulations\nof the office shall have available informative booklets, pamphlets and\nother pertinent written information, including information cards, to be\nsupplied by the office, relating to the availability of crime victims\ncompensation including all necessary application blanks required to be\nfiled with the office and shall display prominently posters giving\nnotification of the existence and general provisions of this article,\nthose provisions of the penal law that prohibit the intimidation of\ncrime victims and the location of the nearest crime victim service\nprogram. The office may issue guidelines for the location of such\ndisplay and shall provide posters, application forms, information cards\nand general information. Every victim who reports a crime in any manner\nwhatsoever shall be given notice about the rights of crime victims and\nthe existence of all relevant local victim's assistance programs and\nservices pursuant to section six hundred twenty-five-b of this article,\nand supplied by the person receiving the report with information,\napplication blanks, and information cards which shall clearly state: (a)\nthat crime victims may be eligible for state compensation benefits; (b)\nthe address and phone number of the office; (c) that police and district\nattorneys can help protect victims against harassment and intimidation;\n(d) the addresses and phone numbers of local victim service programs,\nwhere appropriate, or space for inserting that information; or (e) any\nother information the office deems appropriate. Such cards shall be\ndesigned by the office in consultation with local police, and shall be\nprinted and distributed by the office. The office shall develop a system\nfor distributing a sufficient supply of the information cards referred\nto in this subdivision, to all the appropriate designated locations,\nwhich shall include a schedule for meeting that requirement.\n 1-a. Every general hospital established under the laws of this state,\nwhich maintains facilities for providing out-patient emergency medical\ncare, shall display prominently in its emergency room posters giving\nnotification of the existence and general provisions of this chapter.\nThe board may issue guidelines for the location of such display and\nshall provide posters, application forms and general information\nregarding the provision of this chapter to each such hospital.\n 2. No cause of action of whatever nature or kind arising out of a\nfailure to give or receive the notice required by this section shall\naccrue to any person against the state or any of its agencies or local\nsubdivisions, or, any police officer or other agent, servant or employee\nthereof, or any hospital or agents or employees thereof, nor shall any\nsuch failure be deemed or construed to affect or alter any time\nlimitation or other requirement contained in this article for the filing\nor payment of a claim hereunder.\n