NY State Senate Bill 2023-S633

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Higher Education Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

Please enter your contact information

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

A valid email address is required.

Home address is used to determine the senate district in which you reside. Your support or opposition to this bill is then shared immediately with the senator who represents you.

Optional services from the NY State Senate:

Create an account. An account allows you to officially support or oppose key legislation, sign petitions with a single click, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.

Include a custom message for your Senator? (Optional)

Enter a message to your senator. Many New Yorkers use this to share the reasoning behind their support or opposition to the bill. Others might share a personal anecdote about how the bill would affect them or people they care about.

Actions

View Actions

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jan 03, 2024	referred to higher education
Jan 05, 2023	referred to higher education

2023-S633 (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A3925
Current Committee:: Senate Higher Education
Law Section:: Education Law
Laws Affected:: Add §239-d, Ed L; amd §97-j, St Fin L
Versions Introduced in 2021-2022 Legislative Session:: S9226, A10631

2023-S633 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Establishes the New York state violence in mass media research program to study the effects of mass media reporting on violent crimes.

2023-S633 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S633

SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law and the state finance law, in relation
to establishing the New York state violence in mass media research
program

 
PURPOSE:

To establish well as mass reporting of reproduction stereotypes, perpe-
trators a program to better inform legislature in the state as media
companies on ways that existing mass media violent crime may either
glorify and encourage the of certain violent crimes, perpetuate harmful
negatively sway jurors, or violate the privacy of alleged of crime
before they are convicted.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of the bill amends education law section 239-b to establish
the Violence in Mass Media Research Program within the Firearm Violence

Research Institute and states the goals of this program.

Section 2 of the bill relates to how the program will be funded.

Section 3 of the bill relates to the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Freedom of the press has been and remains one of the most important
factors which contributes to the liberty of the American people, as it
should be. In relation, the mass media can be a wonderful tool for
engendering public concern and amassing support for civil movements.
Journalistic practices surrounding the reporting of violent crimes are
often meant to generate maximum viewership without regard to their
impact on public safety, however, as is described by the slogan, "if it
bleeds, it leads" which perfectly encapsulates how easy it is to capi-
talize upon the macabre fascinations of the public.  New York must lead
the way in determining what the best practices are for mass media
reporting on public safety and the privacy of suspected individuals.
Studies conducted by the Center for Disease Control and the National
Institute of Mental Health have linked the reporting from mass media on
certain violent crimes such as terrorism/ mass public violence, gang
violence, and serial killings to the proliferation of these crimes. The
National Institute of.  Health has additionally published research on
the matter, citing the cogent FBI collaboration with the Advanced Law
Enforcement Rapid Response Training team's "Don't Name Them" Campaign as
well as the WHO's comparable published guidelines for reporting on
suicide. The attention given to perpetrators of such 'heinous crimes is
analogous to feeding oxygen to a flame. if there is no recognition of
their crime, no notoriety to be gained, experts understand this takes
away a major incentive. Displaying the names and faces of violent crimi-
nal suspects/ perpetrators is also often done by members of the mass
media in such a :way that may further a specific narrative on certain
groups of people, such as Black, brown, and/ or mentally ill persons,
which perpetuates negative stereotypes and profiling done by law
enforcement. Additionally, premature reporting on suspected criminals
has the potential to negatively sway jurors towards a guilty conviction
or to irreparably damage the reputation of an innocent person. This
action furthermore is contradictory towards the United States' principle
of innocent until proven guilty, which must be guarded. As freedom of
the press is something that New York, home to several of the most influ-
ential media outlets in not just the nation, but the world, takes grave-
ly seriously, enacting legislation that would in any way alter the way
reporting is done must be supported by copious research. This research
program would give state legislators, as well as media companies
 nationwide looking to pioneer safer and more socially conscious prac-
tices a legitimate body of research to draw from to reform this industry
for the better.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2022: S9226

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law. Effective immediately, the action, amendment and/or repeal
of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act
on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed by the
commissioner of education on or before such effective date,

2023-S633 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                    633
 
                        2023-2024 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                              January 5, 2023
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education
 
 AN ACT to amend the education law and the state finance law, in relation
   to establishing the New York state violence  in  mass  media  research
   program

   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section  239-d
 to read as follows:
   §  239-D.  NEW  YORK STATE VIOLENCE IN MASS MEDIA RESEARCH PROGRAM. 1.
 PROGRAM FORMATION AND GOALS. SUBJECT TO AMOUNTS AVAILABLE  BY  APPROPRI-
 ATION,  THE  NEW  YORK  STATE VIOLENCE IN MASS MEDIA RESEARCH PROGRAM IS
 HEREBY CREATED WITHIN  THE  FIREARM  VIOLENCE  RESEARCH  INSTITUTE.  THE
 PURPOSES OF SUCH PROGRAM SHALL INCLUDE:
   (A) ADVISING THE GOVERNOR, GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES, THE REGENTS, AND THE
 LEGISLATURE  ON  MATTERS RELATING TO THE EFFECTS OF REPORTING ON VIOLENT
 CRIME PRACTICES IN NEW YORK  STATE  AS  IT  RELATES  TO  UNINTENTIONALLY
 GLORIFYING  CERTAIN VIOLENT CRIMES IN SUCH A WAY THAT ENCOURAGES COPYCAT
 VIOLENT CRIMES, CONTRIBUTING TO  NEGATIVE  STEREOTYPING  OR  PREJUDICING
 JURORS IN RULINGS ON PRIVATE CITIZENS;
   (B)  FOSTERING,  PURSUING AND SPONSORING COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH ON THE
 EFFECTS OF MASS MEDIA VIOLENT CRIME REPORTING;
   (C) INCREASING UNDERSTANDING BY ESTABLISHING AND REPORTING ON WHAT  IS
 KNOWN  AND  WHAT  IS NOT KNOWN ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF REPORTING ON VIOLENT
 CRIME BY MASS MEDIA;
   (D) IDENTIFYING PRIORITY NEEDS FOR THE RESEARCH OF  THE  EFFECTS  MASS
 MEDIA REPORTING ON VIOLENT CRIME AND INVENTORY WORK WITHIN NEW YORK THAT
 CURRENTLY ARE NOT RECEIVING ADEQUATE ATTENTION AND IDENTIFYING PUBLIC OR
 PRIVATE  ENTITIES  THAT ARE BEST SITUATED TO ADDRESS SUCH NEEDS, THEREBY
 LEADING TO BETTER COORDINATION OF FIREARM VIOLENCE RESEARCH  EFFORTS  IN
 THE STATE;
   (E)  PROMOTING  AWARENESS  OF  EXISTING AND NEW SOURCES OF INFORMATION
 CREATED BY PSYCHOLOGISTS AND OTHER EXPERTS ON  THE  EFFECTS  OF  CURRENT
 MASS MEDIA REPORTING OF VIOLENT CRIME WHILE EDUCATING ELECTED OFFICIALS,

  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD03216-01-3
 S. 633                              2
 
 GOVERNMENTAL  AGENCIES,  AND  THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON THESE ISSUES THROUGH
 SUCH MEANS AS IT MAY DETERMINE;
   (F) ORGANIZING AND SPONSORING MEETINGS ON FIREARM VIOLENCE TOPICS;
   (G) ENCOURAGING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NETWORKS OF COLLABORATING EXPERTS
 ENGAGED IN RELATED ASPECTS OF FIREARM VIOLENCE RESEARCH;
   (H)  RAISING  SENSITIVITY TO FIREARM VIOLENCE CONCERNS AMONG STATE AND
 LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, AND SERVING AS A FORUM FOR  ENHANCED  INTERA-
 GENCY INFORMATION SHARING AND COOPERATION;
   (I) WORKING ON A CONTINUING BASIS WITH POLICYMAKERS IN THE LEGISLATURE
 AND  STATE  AGENCIES  TO  IDENTIFY,  IMPLEMENT,  AND EVALUATE INNOVATIVE
 FIREARM VIOLENCE PREVENTION POLICIES AND PROGRAMS;
   (J) RECRUITING AND PROVIDING SPECIALIZED  TRAINING  OPPORTUNITIES  FOR
 NEW  RESEARCHERS,  INCLUDING EXPERIENCED INVESTIGATORS IN RELATED FIELDS
 WHO ARE BEGINNING WORK ON MASS PUBLIC VIOLENCE, YOUNG INVESTIGATORS  WHO
 HAVE  COMPLETED THEIR EDUCATION, EXPERTS IN JOURNALISM LAW, POSTDOCTORAL
 SCHOLARS, DOCTORAL STUDENTS, UNDERGRADUATES,  AND  REPRESENTATIVES  FROM
 MASS MEDIA; AND
   (K) PROVIDING COPIES OF THEIR RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE
 AND  TO  AGENCIES SUPPLYING DATA USED IN THE CONDUCT OF SUCH RESEARCH AS
 SOON AS IS PRACTICABLE FOLLOWING PUBLICATION.
   2. RESEARCH. THE NEW YORK STATE FIREARM  VIOLENCE  RESEARCH  INSTITUTE
 SHALL  FOSTER,  PURSUE, AND SPONSOR BASIC, TRANSLATIONAL, AND TRANSFORM-
 ATIVE  RESEARCH,  FIELD  STUDIES,  AND  ALL  OTHER  SUCH  ACTIVITIES  TO
 RESEARCH:
   (A)  THE NATURE OF MASS MEDIA REPORTING OF VIOLENCE, INCLUDING WHAT IS
 DISPLAYED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO NAMES AND FACES OF PERPETRATORS,
 CRIME SCENES, AND PLANS, AND INDIVIDUAL  AND  SOCIETAL  DETERMINANTS  OF
 RISK  FOR  INVOLVEMENT IN MASS PUBLIC VIOLENCE, WHETHER AS A VICTIM OR A
 PERPETRATOR;
   (B) THE INDIVIDUAL, COMMUNITY, AND SOCIETAL CONSEQUENCES OF POTENTIAL-
 LY IRRESPONSIBLE MASS MEDIA REPORTING PRACTICES REGARDING VIOLENT CRIME;
   (C) THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF MASS PUBLIC VIOLENCE AT THE  INDI-
 VIDUAL, COMMUNITY, AND SOCIETAL LEVELS; AND
   (D)  THE  EFFECT  OF  MASS  MEDIA  REPORTING ON CONTRIBUTING TO RACIAL
 PROFILING AND STEREOTYPING AS IT RELATES TO ARRESTS, JUROR OUTCOMES, AND
 THE VIOLATION OF THE PRIVACY OF PRIVATE CITIZENS  SCHEDULED  FOR  TRIAL,
 BUT NOT YET CONVICTED OF A CRIME.
   3.  FINANCING.  THE  VIOLENCE  IN MASS MEDIA RESEARCH PROGRAM SHALL BE
 FUNDED THROUGH THE FIREARM VIOLENCE RESEARCH FUND  ESTABLISHED  PURSUANT
 TO SECTION NINETY-SEVEN-J OF THE STATE FINANCE LAW.
   §  2.  Subdivision  5  of  section  97-j  of the state finance law, as
 amended by chapter 151 of the laws  of  2022,  is  amended  to  read  as
 follows:
   5.  Moneys  in the firearm violence research fund, following appropri-
 ation by the legislature, shall be available to  the  New  York  firearm
 violence research institute for its activities as set forth in [section]
 SECTIONS TWO HUNDRED THIRTY-NINE-D AND three hundred fifty-five-e of the
 education law.
   §  3.  This  act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
 have become a law.    Effective  immediately,  the  addition,  amendment
 and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation
 of  this  act  on  its  effective  date  are  authorized  to be made and
 completed by the commissioner of education on or before  such  effective
 date.

Comments

Open Legislation is a forum for New York State legislation. All comments are subject to review and community moderation is encouraged.

Comments deemed off-topic, commercial, campaign-related, self-promotional; or that contain profanity, hate or toxic speech; or that link to sites outside of the nysenate.gov domain are not permitted, and will not be published. Attempts to intimidate and silence contributors or deliberately deceive the public, including excessive or extraneous posting/posts, or coordinated activity, are prohibited and may result in the temporary or permanent banning of the user. Comment moderation is generally performed Monday through Friday. By contributing or voting you agree to the Terms of Participation and verify you are over 13.

Create an account. An account allows you to sign petitions with a single click, officially support or oppose key legislation, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.

Senate Bill S633

Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Higher Education Committee

2023-S633 (ACTIVE) - Details

2023-S633 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2023-S633 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2023-S633 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments

Senate Bill S633

Share this bill

Sponsored By

Leroy Comrie

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Higher Education Committee

2023-S633 (ACTIVE) - Details

2023-S633 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2023-S633 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2023-S633 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments