BILL NUMBER:S1403

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the election law, in relation to lever
voting  machines; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon
the expiration thereof

PURPOSE OR GENERAL  IDEA  OF  BILL:    To  provide  a  domestic  abuse
toll-free  hotline  for  teens  and  require  all  New York State high
schools to  hold  an  assembly  addressing  the  dangers  of  domestic
violence and providing information for the toll-free hotline.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section  459-h of the social services law is renumbered section 459-1,
and a new section, 459-h, is added which would establish  a  toll-free
domestic  abuse  hotline  for  teens.  The education law is amended by
adding a new section 3235, which would establish a mandatory  domestic
abuse assembly.

JUSTIFICATION:    Violence  in  adolescent  relationships is a growing
problem in society, and  may  result  in  long  term  trauma  for  the
victims.  The  years  during adolescence are the time when patterns of
abuse develop, violence in dating relationships may be a precursor for
abuse in adult relationships. Teens must be educated about the dangers
of domestic violence during these formative years.

              

A recent report on youth domestic violence indicated that one in  five
or  30,000  teenage  girls  in  New  York  City  are victims of dating
violence. Another study has shown that nearly 251 of  female  students
have  been  victims  of forced sexual intercourse by grade 12. A large
scale survey of the college population has also shown that one in four
women have been victims of rape or attempted rape. In  New  York  City
alone  there has been a 701 increase in adolescent calls to the City's
Domestic Violence Hotline since 1998.

Abuse is not only a physical assault on the victim,  many  adolescents
are  victims  of  verbal  abuse by their partner as well. Studies show
that nearly half of all adolescent girls report verbal abuse in  their
relationship. Proper education must be implemented to address the many
forms  and  dangers  of  domestic  violence.  Adolescents must also be
educated about the many avenues they may take for assistance in  their
abusive relationship.

This  legislation  will  provide adolescents with a toll-free hotline,
which would be available 24 hours a day to assist victims or potential
victims of teen domestic abuse. Additionally, an  assembly  addressing
the dangers of domestic violence would be required in each high school
across the state, The assembly would also supply the students with the
toll-free number of the domestic abuse hotline for teens.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2004:8.10029 - Referred to Children and Families
2005-06:A.926 - Referred to Children and Families
2007-08:A.3768 - Referred to Children and Families
2009-10:8.7630-A - Held in Children and Families
2011-12:5.983 - Died in Committee


FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:  Unknown.

EFFECTIVE  DATE:    This  act shall take effect immediately; provided,
however, that section two of this act shall apply to any  school  year
commencing at least thirty days after such effective date.