Everyone agrees that domestic violence is a scourge on our society. The question before New York state lawmakers this legislative session is whether or not they want to try something new to deal with domestic violence.

Two bills (A.9538, S.8932) have been introduced in recent weeks to create a domestic violence registry for repeat offenders. The bills aren’t companion bills, which means there are two completely different proposals floating around the legislature waiting for action. If the bills had been crafted by Democrats one would believe the issue could be ripe for action between now and the end of the legislative session in June.

Alas, both proposals were drafted by Republicans – Assemblyman Anil Beephan and Sen. Mario Mattera. Democrats’ stranglehold on both houses of the state Legislature means a good idea may sit on the sidelines until a Democrat agrees with the Republican lawmakers that the state should try a new approach for repeat domestic abusers.

Beephan proposes an online registry for individuals convicted of a second or subsequent domestic violence offense. He proposes requiring local court clerks to send the necessary information to the state Division of Criminal Justice Services, which would be required to maintain the registry and post it online. A registration fee would pay for administration.

The nation’s first domestic violence registry took effect on Jan. 1 in Tennessee. Savanna’s Law, named after a woman who was shot to death by her ex-boyfriend in 2022, requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to maintain a database of people who have been convicted of or who have pleaded guilty to at least two domestic violence offenses. The Tennessee database will include the offender’s name, date of birth, and a photo and location of their convictions, but not their address. The list is not retroactive; only offenses that take place after Jan. 1, 2026, can be included.

Mattera is proposing legislation in the New York Senate similar to the Tennessee bill. S.8932 also carries the title “Savanna’s Law” and would include the offender’s name, birth date, conviction date, county where the convictions took place and a current photo. Mattera proposes a $150 fee, of which $50 will be kept to administer the database and $100 of which would be sent to the Domestic Violence Awareness Fund. Mattera also proposes removing people from the registry depending on how long they go without being convicted of a domestic violence incident and the number of prior convictions.

It’s easy to wear purple during Domestic Violence Month events and to participate in marches and news conferences. Democrats have an opportunity to take tangible action – if they can swallow their political pride and jump on board with a proposal drafted by, of all things, a Republican.