ALBANY -- New York has established a new felony for repeat low-level domestic violence offenses.

The measure signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo Thursday applies the charge of Aggravated Family Offense to defendants who commit certain misdemeanors and already have a conviction for a misdemeanor or felony against a household member within the previous five years.

Punishment is one to four years in prison.

Sponsors say many abusers repeatedly commit low-level offenses that carry minor penalties, enabling them to continue subjecting victims to fear and harm.

Sen. Stephen Saland says Thursday the measure also elevates domestic violence harassment from a violation to a misdemeanor. That can mean up to a year in jail.

It also prohibits anyone subject to an order of protection and charged in that person's death from controlling that person's burial.

The legislation aims to improve the criminal justice system’s response to domestic violence. The legislation package will also provide survivors with enhanced protections so they can safely sever ties with abusers.

"By strengthening the domestic violence laws, New York is leading the way in protecting victims and prosecuting offenders while demonstrating to the nation that we will not tolerate violence against our families," said Governor Cuomo in a media release. "This new law will make it a felony crime for criminals who repeatedly harm their families and ensure that they can are stopped."

(Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.)