§ 459-G — Cooperation of an abuser not required as a condition of eligibility for benefits or services

§ 459-g. Cooperation of an abuser not required as a condition of\neligibility for benefits or services. 1. Neither the state, a political\nsubdivision of the state, a public authority, nor any employee or agent\nthereof shall, in any way, condition eligibility or receipt of services\nor benefits by a victim of domestic violence, as defined in this\narticle, by requiring the victim to contact the person who perpetrated\nsuch domestic violence or by requiring the person who perpetrated such\ndomestic violence to complete any forms, provide any information, appear\nin person, or cooperate in any other manner as a part of such victim's\napplication for or process of certification for continued receipt of any\nservices or benefits in this state.\n 2. Although such information or cooperation shall not be required as a\ncondition of eligibility for or receipt of such services or benefits, in\nthe event the governmental entity, employee or agent seeks any such\ninformation or cooperation, such entity, employee or agent shall, if\ninformed consent is given in writing by such victim of domestic\nviolence, provide an intermediary to make such contact in a manner that\nprotects the privacy, confidentiality and current location of the\nvictim. In the event the governmental entity, employee or agent seeks\nany such information or cooperation to comply with any federal law,\nregulation or mandate, such entity, employee or agent shall so advise\nthe victim of domestic violence and provide an intermediary to make such\ncontact on behalf of the victim in a manner that will protect the\nprivacy, confidentiality and current location of the victim.\n