S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
5899
2011-2012 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
March 2, 2011
___________
Introduced by M. of A. KAVANAGH, AUBRY, CAMARA, PAULIN, PEOPLES-STOKES,
PHEFFER, ROBINSON, WRIGHT -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. GOTTFRIED,
McDONOUGH, McENENY, MENG, TOWNS, WEISENBERG -- read once and referred
to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to creating a gun
violence prevention program
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "gun
violence prevention act".
S 2. Legislative intent. Gunshot injuries are a major cause of death
for children and adolescents in the United States, accounting for twelve
percent of all premature deaths. Further, for every young person who
dies as the result of a gunshot injury, five others are seriously
injured by a gunshot. Concentrated efforts in the areas of drug and
alcohol abuse prevention have demonstrated that preventive education can
reduce risks for youth. But although there are many drug prevention
programs, there are few gun violence prevention programs in existence.
The intent of the legislature in enacting the "gun violence prevention
act" is to implement a gun violence prevention program for school-aged
youth and their families to help young people to develop victim
prevention skills and to rehearse behaviors needed to manage problems,
such as conflict and peer pressure, non-violently, without guns. The
program would not oppose gun ownership or the well-supervised use of
guns for hunting or sport.
S 3. The education law is amended by adding a new section 3204-a to
read as follows:
S 3204-A. GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM. 1. THE DEPARTMENT, IN
CONSULTATION WITH LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE
DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES, THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSERVATION, AND ANY OTHER EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, IS AUTHORIZED AND
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00942-01-1
A. 5899 2
DIRECTED TO DEVELOP AND MAKE AVAILABLE TO LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS A GUN
VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM SHALL INCLUDE: PRACTICAL
SKILLS WHICH STUDENTS CAN USE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM; OPPORTUNITIES FOR
SELF-REFLECTION AND ROLE-PLAY OF STUDENTS' COPING MECHANISMS AND
EMOTIONS; STUDENT-SET GOALS FOR CHANGE; THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPETENCY
AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS TO ADDRESS ISSUES WITH PEERS AND THE COMMUNITY;
AND PARENTAL AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND SUPPORT IN THE PROGRAM.
2. EVERY SCHOOL MAY INSTRUCT STUDENTS IN PRE-KINDERGARTEN THROUGH
TWELFTH GRADE WITH RESPECT TO GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION USING MATERIALS
PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR SUCH PURPOSE. EACH SCHOOL ELECTING TO
PROVIDE SUCH INSTRUCTION MAY REQUEST INFORMATION AND RESOURCES THEREFOR
FROM THE DEPARTMENT PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE.
3. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE A REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE
LEGISLATURE ON OR BEFORE JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND THIRTEEN, ASSESSING
THE RESULTS OF THE GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM ESTABLISHED PURSUANT
TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION. THE REPORT SHALL INCLUDE FINDINGS AS
TO THE PROGRAM'S IMPACT ON REDUCING GUNSHOT INJURIES AMONG CHILDREN AND
ADOLESCENTS AND SHALL OFFER RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO WHETHER THE GUN
VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM SHOULD BE EXPANDED, MODIFIED, OR ELIMINATED
AND WHETHER OR NOT OTHER GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS SHOULD BE
AUTHORIZED.
S 4. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
it shall have become a law.