BILL NUMBER: S7547A

SPONSOR: RAMOS
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the general business law, in relation to requiring
appearance enhancement businesses to display a poster about sexual and
domestic violence

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To promote awareness of sexual and domestic violence and ensure that
individuals have access to critical resources by requiring appearance
enhancement businesses to prominently display educational posters.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

*Section 1: Amends the General Business Law by adding a new Section
408-c, requiring the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, in
partnership with the Division of Human Rights and the Department of
State, to create and distribute informational posters regarding signs of
sexual and domestic violence and available state resources.  Posters
              

must be available in the ten most commonly spoken non-English languages.
Appearance enhancement businesses must post an approved poster in a
conspicuous customer-accessible location.

*Section 2: Establishes that the act shall take effect ninety days after
becoming law and authorizes immediate regulatory actions necessary for
implementation.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Domestic violence remains a pervasive crisis in New York State. More
than 1 in 3 New Yorkers will experience abuse by an intimate partner
during their lifetime, and the demand for domestic violence services in
New York is the highest in the nation. Survivors often face substantial
barriers to accessing help, particularly due to fear, stigma, language
barriers, or isolation from traditional sources of support.

Appearance enhancement businesses-salons, spas, and similar venues-offer
a trusted, familiar environment where survivors might first feel safe
enough to seek help or learn about resources. These businesses are
uniquely positioned to serve as silent lifelines. By requiring the post-
ing of accessible, multilingual information about recognizing abuse and
connecting with services, this bill ensures that critical support
reaches individuals in places where they may naturally feel more secure.

The stakes are extraordinarily high: domestic violence is one of the
leading drivers of homelessness in New York, particularly among women
and children. In Fiscal Year 2023, domestic violence caused over 20% of
family homelessness entries into shelters. Survivors experience not only
immediate physical and emotional trauma but long-term health effects,
including significantly higher rates of cardiovascular disease,
diabetes, PTSD, and traumatic brain injuries.

Moreover, the consequences of domestic violence extend intergeneration-
ally. Children who witness domestic violence are significantly more
likely to become victims or perpetrators of violence themselves. Break-

ing this cycle requires widespread public awareness and 'easy access to
assistance-tools that this bill seeks to provide.

By posting resource information where it is visible to all clients, we
empower survivors with discreet, immediate access to help. We also rein-
force New York's commitment to confronting domestic violence as a public
health crisis, offering tangible support to those in danger.  This
initiative can save lives, prevent homelessness, reduce public health
costs, and help build safer communities across the State.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it becomes law.
Immediate rulemaking is authorized.