NY State Senate Bill 2019-S4070

Senate Bill S4070

Signed By Governor

2019-2020 Legislative Session

Requires the commissioner of education to make recommendations to the board of regents relating to instruction on preventing child sexual exploitation and abuse in grades K - 8

download bill text pdf

Archive: Last Bill Status - Signed by Governor

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
Aug 29, 2019	signed chap.187
Aug 28, 2019	delivered to governor
Jun 20, 2019	returned to senate passed assembly ordered to third reading rules cal.542 substituted for a2577b
Jun 03, 2019	referred to education delivered to assembly passed senate ordered to third reading cal.1137 committee discharged and committed to rules
May 28, 2019	print number 4070b
May 28, 2019	amend and recommit to education
Mar 14, 2019	print number 4070a
Mar 14, 2019	amend (t) and recommit to education
Feb 27, 2019	referred to education

Votes

- Jun 3, 2019 - Floor Vote
  S4070
  
  62
  
  Aye
  
  0
  
  Nay
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  0
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Floor Vote: Jun 3, 2019
      
      aye (62)
      
      Addabbo Jr.
      
      Akshar
      
      Amedore
      
      Antonacci
      
      Bailey
      
      Benjamin
      
      Biaggi
      
      Boyle
      
      Breslin
      
      Brooks
      
      Carlucci
      
      Comrie
      
      Felder
      
      Flanagan
      
      Funke
      
      Gallivan
      
      Gaughran
      
      Gianaris
      
      Gounardes
      
      Griffo
      
      Harckham
      
      Helming
      
      Hoylman-Sigal
      
      Jackson
      
      Jacobs
      
      Jordan
      
      Kaminsky
      
      Kaplan
      
      Kavanagh
      
      Kennedy
      
      Krueger
      
      LaValle
      
      Lanza
      
      Little
      
      Liu
      
      Martinez
      
      May
      
      Mayer
      
      Metzger
      
      Montgomery
      
      Myrie
      
      O'Mara
      
      Ortt
      
      Parker
      
      Persaud
      
      Ramos
      
      Ranzenhofer
      
      Ritchie
      
      Rivera
      
      Robach
      
      Salazar
      
      Sanders Jr.
      
      Savino
      
      Sepúlveda
      
      Serino
      
      Serrano
      
      Seward
      
      Skoufis
      
      Stavisky
      
      Stewart-Cousins
      
      Tedisco
      
      Thomas
  Jun 3, 2019 - Rules Committee Vote
  S4070
  
  19
  
  Aye
  
  0
  
  Nay
  
  0
  
  Aye with Reservations
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  0
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Rules Committee Vote: Jun 3, 2019
      
      aye (19)
      
      Benjamin
      
      Breslin
      
      Comrie
      
      Flanagan
      
      Gianaris
      
      Griffo
      
      Hoylman-Sigal
      
      Kennedy
      
      Krueger
      
      LaValle
      
      Lanza
      
      Little
      
      Liu
      
      Martinez
      
      Parker
      
      Robach
      
      Savino
      
      Seward
      
      Stewart-Cousins

Bill Amendments

Original

B (Active)

co-Sponsors

2019-S4070 - Details

Law Section:: Education Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §305, Ed L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2011-2012: S6182
2013-2014: S2367
2015-2016: S1947
2017-2018: S1953

2019-S4070 - Summary

Requires the commissioner of education to make recommendations to the board of regents relating to instruction on preventing child sexual exploitation and child abuse in grades kindergarten through eight.

2019-S4070 - Sponsor Memo

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S4070

SPONSOR: BIAGGI
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to child sexual abuse
awareness

 
PURPOSE:

Enacts legislation to require the provision of instruction to prevent
child sexual exploitation and child abuse in grades kindergarten through
eight.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Amends Education Law section 305 by adding a new subdivision
57 to provide that the Commissioner shall consult with the Department of
Health and other appropriate organizations that have expertise in the
prevention of child sexual exploitation and child abuse, to establish
and develop a program within the department to help prevent such child

sexual exploitation and child abuse in grades kindergarten through
eighth grade. Such program shall be defined in regulations and designed
to educate students, parents and school personnel about the prevention
of such child sexual exploitation and abuse. Such age-appropriate model
curriculum, exemplar lesson plans, and best practice instructional
resources for students, parents, and school personnel shall be designed
to promote the prevention of such exploitation and abuse. Such informa-
tion and course materials related to such awareness, prevention, and
education programs shall be placed on its own dedicated webpage.
Further, the Commissioner shall issue a guidance memorandum to every
school district, BOCES, charter school, and nonpublic school of the
availability of such prevention program.

Section 2: Sets the effective date

 
EXISTING LAW:

Section 305 of the education law established the powers and duties of
the commissioner of education.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Awareness of the epidemic of child sexual abuse has come a long way
since section 803-a was enacted in 1994 and quality school safety
programs are already evolving to teach children that abduction by stran-
gers is not the only, or the most common, danger they face. Like other
sex crimes, most child sexual abuse is committed by people who know
their victims. Trusted acquaintances are most often the perpetrators,
followed by family members and then strangers. Updating the language of
New York's education requirement to reflect the current understanding of
both the sources and warning signs of child predation will help ensure
that more children receive practical and age-appropriate instruction
that they can incorporate into their daily lives.

As more and more abuse victims of all ages are coming forward to share
stories of horrifying abuses, we are regularly reminded of our sacred
obligation to prepare the next generation of children to meet life's
major challenges. Despite greater openness about these crimes, feelings
of shame or stigma still keep many victims and witnesses silent. Many
young people suffering abuse or exploitation are still unaware of when
and from whom to seek help. Concerned parents may not even know about
the latest techniques being used by predators to meet and groom their
victims through electronic communications, the Internet and social
media.

Expanding the required instruction under section 305 to encompass child
sexual exploitation and child abuse prevention will require the Educa-
tion Department to make revisions to its technical advisories but it
need not require districts to devote any additional time or staffing
resources to student safety instruction. With our growing understanding
of the many dangers facing our children and the lifelong injuries sexual
abuse and exploitation can inflict, the cost of not providing this vital
safety information is simply too high.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2017-18: A.3953-A - Held for consideration in Education/S.1953-A Passed
Senate
2015-16: A.90B - Referred to Education/S.1947B - Passed Senate
2013-14: A.661A - Referred to Education/S.2367 - Passed Senate
2011-12: A.8993 - Held for consideration in Education/S.6182 - Passed
Senate

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Minimal. The state education department will continue to provide techni-
cal assistance to school districts for this age-appropriate curricula.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on July 1st of the year next succeeding the
date upon which it shall have become law.

2019-S4070 - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   4070
 
                        2019-2020 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             February 27, 2019
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  BIAGGI -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
 
 AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation  to  child  sexual  abuse
   awareness
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   Section 1. Section 305 of the education law is amended by adding a new
 subdivision 60 to read as follows:
   60. A. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL CONSULT AND COLLABORATE WITH THE COMMIS-
 SIONER OF HEALTH AND APPROPRIATE ORGANIZATIONS THAT  HAVE  EXPERTISE  IN
 THE  PREVENTION OF CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND CHILD ABUSE, AS WELL AS
 OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES, TO ESTABLISH AND DEVELOP A PROGRAM WITHIN  THE
 DEPARTMENT  RELATED  TO  THE PREVENTION OF CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND
 CHILD ABUSE IN GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EIGHT. SUCH PROGRAM SHALL  BE
 DEFINED  BY  THE COMMISSIONER IN REGULATIONS AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE
 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND BE DESIGNED TO EDUCATE  STUDENTS,  PARENTS  AND
 SCHOOL  PERSONNEL  ABOUT THE PREVENTION OF CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND
 CHILD ABUSE IN GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH  EIGHT.  SUCH  PROGRAM  SHALL
 INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
   (I)  AGE-APPROPRIATE MODEL CURRICULUM, EXEMPLAR LESSON PLANS, AND BEST
 PRACTICE  INSTRUCTIONAL  RESOURCES  FOR  STUDENTS,  PARENTS  AND  SCHOOL
 PERSONNEL  DESIGNED  TO PROMOTE THE PREVENTION OF CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITA-
 TION AND CHILD ABUSE. SUCH MODEL CURRICULUM, LESSON PLANS  AND  INSTRUC-
 TIONAL  RESOURCES  SHALL  INCLUDE  BUT  NOT BE LIMITED TO GUIDELINES AND
 METHODS OF PREVENTION, INCLUDING RECOMMENDATIONS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE;
   (II) INSTRUCTIONAL TOOLS  AND  MATERIALS  FOR  STUDENTS,  PARENTS  AND
 SCHOOL  PERSONNEL  DEVELOPED  IN  COLLABORATION WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF
 HEALTH,  WHICH  SHALL  INCLUDE  UPDATED  DATA  AND  INFORMATION  ON  THE
 PREVENTION  OF  CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND CHILD ABUSE, WITH A REVIEW
 OF SUCH DATA AND INFORMATION TO OCCUR PERIODICALLY, AT INTERVALS  DEEMED
 APPROPRIATE BY THE COMMISSIONER AND THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH; AND
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD01177-03-9

 S. 4070                             2
 
   (III)  PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF ALL MATERIALS RELATED TO SUCH AWARENESS,
 PREVENTION AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS ON A DEDICATED WEBPAGE ON THE  DEPART-
 MENT'S  INTERNET  WEBSITE,  AND  PROVIDED  AT  NO  COST  TO EVERY SCHOOL
 DISTRICT, BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, CHARTER SCHOOL  AND
 NONPUBLIC SCHOOL UPON REQUEST.
   B.  THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ISSUE A GUIDANCE MEMORANDUM TO EVERY SCHOOL
 DISTRICT, BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, CHARTER SCHOOL  AND
 NONPUBLIC  SCHOOL,  TO INFORM THEM OF THE AVAILABILITY OF THE PREVENTION
 OF CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND CHILD ABUSE PROGRAM.  THE  COMMISSIONER
 SHALL  ANNUALLY  REMIND  SCHOOL  DISTRICTS, BOARDS OF COOPERATIVE EDUCA-
 TIONAL SERVICES, CHARTER SCHOOLS AND NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS,  OF  THE  AVAIL-
 ABILITY OF PREVENTION OF CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND CHILD ABUSE MATE-
 RIALS IN GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EIGHT.
   §  2.  This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding
 the date on which it shall have become a law;  provided,  however,  that
 effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule
 or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effec-
 tive  date  are  authorized  to  be  made or completed on or before such
 effective date.

co-Sponsors

View additional co-sponsors

2019-S4070A - Details

Law Section:: Education Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §305, Ed L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2011-2012: S6182
2013-2014: S2367
2015-2016: S1947
2017-2018: S1953

2019-S4070A - Summary

2019-S4070A - Sponsor Memo

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S4070A

SPONSOR: BIAGGI
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the education law, in relation to
requiring a course of study in the prevention of child sexual exploita-
tion and child sexual abuse

 
PURPOSE:

Enacts legislation to require the instruction of curriculum on the
prevention of child sexual exploitation and child sexual abuse in grades
kindergarten through eight.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: This act shall be known as and may be cited as "Erin's Law".

Section 2 Amends Education Law by adding a new section 803-b to provide
that courses of study in the prevention of child sexual exploitation and
child sexual abuse be received by all pupils in grades K-8. Such program
shall be defined by the commissioner in regulations after consultation

with the department of health and be designed to educate students,
parents and school personnel about the prevention of child sexual
exploitation and child sexual abuse in grades kindergarten through
eight.

Such age-appropriate model curriculum, exemplar lesson plans, and best
practice instructional resources for students, parents, and school
personnel shall be designed to promote the prevention of such exploita-
tion and abuse. Such instructional tools and materials for students,
parents and school personnel developed in collaboration with the depart-
ment of health shall include updated data and information with a review
of data and information to occur periodically, at intervals deemed
appropriate by the commissioner and the commissioner of health.

All course materials related to such awareness, prevention, and educa-
tion programs shall be placed on its own dedicated webpage.

The commissioner shall provide technical assistance in the development
of curricula for such courses of study. For the purposes of developing
such courses of study, the board of education or trustees of every
school district may establish local advisory councils or utilize the
school-based shared decision making and planning committee established
pursuant to regulations of the commissioner to make recommendations
concerning the content and implementation of such courses. School
districts may alternatively utilize courses of instruction developed by
consortia of school district, the state education department, boards of
cooperative educational services other school districts or any other
agency, public or private.

Such advisory councils shall consist of, but not be limited to, parents,
school trustees and board members, appropriate school personnel, busi-
ness and community representatives, and law enforcement personnel having
experience in the prevention of child sexual exploitation and child
sexual abuse.

The board of education or trustees of every school district may provide
appropriate training and curriculum materials for the regular teachers
who provide such instruction.
Section 3 sets the effective date.

 
EXISTING LAW:

Section 305 of the education law established the powers and duties of
the commissioner of education.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Awareness of the epidemic of child sexual abuse has come a long way
since section 803-a was enacted in 1994 and quality school safety
programs are already evolving to teach children that abduction by stran-
gers is not the only, or the most common, danger they face. Like other
sex crimes, most child sexual abuse is committed by people who know
their victims. Trusted acquaintances are most often the perpetrators,
followed by family members and then strangers. Updating the language of
New York's education requirement to reflect the current understanding of
both the sources and warning signs of child predation will help ensure
that more children receive practical and age-appropriate instruction
that they can incorporate into their daily lives.

As more and more abuse victims of all ages are coming forward to share
stories of horrifying abuses, we are regularly reminded of our sacred
obligation to prepare the next generation of children to meet life's
major challenges. Despite greater openness about these crimes, feelings
of shame or stigma still keep many victims and witnesses silent. Many
young people suffering abuse or exploitation are still unaware of when
and from whom to seek help. Concerned parents may not even know about
the latest techniques being used by predators to meet and groom their
victims through electronic communications, the Internet and social
media.

With our growing understanding of the many dangers facing our children
and the lifelong injuries sexual abuse and exploitation can inflict, the
cost of not providing this vital safety information to students is
simply too high.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2017-18:A.3953-A - Held for consideration in Education/S.1953-A - Passed
Senate
2015-16:A.90B - Referred to Education/S.1947B - Passed Senate
2013-14:A.661A - Referred to Education/S.2367 - Passed Senate
2011-12:A.8993 - Held for consideration in Education/S.6182 - Passed
Senate

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Minimal. The state education department will continue to provide techni-
cal assistance to school districts for these age-appropriate curricula.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date
on which it shall have become a law; provided, however, that effective
immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regu-
lation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective
date are authorized to be made or completed on or before such effective
date.

2019-S4070A - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  4070--A
 
                        2019-2020 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             February 27, 2019
                                ___________
 
 Introduced by Sens. BIAGGI, MAYER -- read twice and ordered printed, and
   when  printed to be committed to the Committee on Education -- commit-
   tee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and  recom-
   mitted to said committee
 
 AN  ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring a course of
   study in the prevention of child sexual exploitation and child  sexual
   abuse
 
   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 "Erin's Law".
   § 2. The education law is amended by adding a  new  section  803-b  to
 read as follows:
   §  803-B.  COURSES OF STUDY IN PREVENTION OF CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION
 AND CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE. 1. ALL  PUPILS  IN  GRADES  K-8  IN  ALL  PUBLIC
 SCHOOLS IN THE STATE SHALL RECEIVE INSTRUCTION DESIGNED TO PREVENT CHILD
 SEXUAL  EXPLOITATION  AND  CHILD  SEXUAL  ABUSE.  SUCH  PROGRAM SHALL BE
 DEFINED BY THE COMMISSIONER IN REGULATIONS AFTER CONSULTATION  WITH  THE
 DEPARTMENT  OF  HEALTH  AND BE DESIGNED TO EDUCATE STUDENTS, PARENTS AND
 SCHOOL PERSONNEL ABOUT THE PREVENTION OF CHILD SEXUAL  EXPLOITATION  AND
 CHILD  SEXUAL  ABUSE  IN GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EIGHT. SUCH PROGRAM
 SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
   (A) AGE-APPROPRIATE MODEL CURRICULUM, EXEMPLAR LESSON PLANS, AND  BEST
 PRACTICE  INSTRUCTIONAL  RESOURCES  FOR  STUDENTS,  PARENTS  AND  SCHOOL
 PERSONNEL DESIGNED TO PROMOTE THE PREVENTION OF CHILD  SEXUAL  EXPLOITA-
 TION  AND  CHILD  SEXUAL  ABUSE. SUCH MODEL CURRICULUM, LESSON PLANS AND
 INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES SHALL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED  TO  GUIDELINES
 AND  METHODS  OF  PREVENTION,  INCLUDING RECOMMENDATIONS TO ADDRESS THIS
 ISSUE;
   (B) INSTRUCTIONAL TOOLS AND MATERIALS FOR STUDENTS, PARENTS AND SCHOOL
 PERSONNEL DEVELOPED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE  COMMISSIONER  OF  HEALTH,
 WHICH  SHALL  INCLUDE  UPDATED DATA AND INFORMATION ON THE PREVENTION OF
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD01177-05-9

 S. 4070--A                          2
 
 CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE, WITH A REVIEW OF  SUCH
 DATA  AND  INFORMATION TO OCCUR PERIODICALLY, AT INTERVALS DEEMED APPRO-
 PRIATE BY THE COMMISSIONER AND THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH; AND
   (C)  PUBLIC  AVAILABILITY  OF ALL MATERIALS RELATED TO SUCH AWARENESS,
 PREVENTION AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS ON A DEDICATED WEBPAGE ON THE  DEPART-
 MENT'S  WEBSITE, AND PROVIDED AT NO COST TO EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT, BOARD
 OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, CHARTER SCHOOL AND NONPUBLIC SCHOOL
 UPON REQUEST. SUCH INSTRUCTION SHALL BE PROVIDED BY OR UNDER THE  DIRECT
 SUPERVISION  OF REGULAR CLASSROOM TEACHERS, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT SUCH
 INSTRUCTION MAY BE PROVIDED BY ANY OTHER AGENCY, PUBLIC OR PRIVATE.
   2. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE  TO  ASSIST  IN
 THE  DEVELOPMENT  OF  CURRICULA FOR SUCH COURSES OF STUDY WHICH SHALL BE
 AGE APPROPRIATE AND DEVELOPED ACCORDING TO THE NEEDS  AND  ABILITIES  OF
 PUPILS  AT SUCCESSIVE GRADE LEVELS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE AWARENESS SKILLS,
 INFORMATION, SELF-CONFIDENCE AND SUPPORT TO AID  IN  THE  PREVENTION  OF
 CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE.
   3.  FOR  PURPOSES  OF  DEVELOPING  SUCH COURSES OF STUDY, THE BOARD OF
 EDUCATION OR TRUSTEES OF EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT MAY ESTABLISH LOCAL ADVI-
 SORY COUNCILS OR UTILIZE THE SCHOOL-BASED  SHARED  DECISION  MAKING  AND
 PLANNING  COMMITTEE  ESTABLISHED  PURSUANT TO REGULATIONS OF THE COMMIS-
 SIONER TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING THE CONTENT AND IMPLEMENTATION
 OF SUCH COURSES. SCHOOL DISTRICTS MAY ALTERNATIVELY UTILIZE  COURSES  OF
 INSTRUCTION  DEVELOPED BY CONSORTIA OF SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE STATE EDUCA-
 TION DEPARTMENT,  BOARDS  OF  COOPERATIVE  EDUCATIONAL  SERVICES,  OTHER
 SCHOOL  DISTRICTS  OR ANY OTHER AGENCY, PUBLIC OR PRIVATE. SUCH ADVISORY
 COUNCILS SHALL CONSIST OF, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, PARENTS, SCHOOL  TRUS-
 TEES  AND  BOARD  MEMBERS,  APPROPRIATE  SCHOOL  PERSONNEL, BUSINESS AND
 COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL HAVING  EXPERI-
 ENCE  IN  THE  PREVENTION  OF CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND CHILD SEXUAL
 ABUSE.
   4. THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OR TRUSTEES OF  EVERY  SCHOOL  DISTRICT  MAY
 PROVIDE  APPROPRIATE  TRAINING  AND CURRICULUM MATERIALS FOR THE REGULAR
 TEACHERS WHO PROVIDE SUCH INSTRUCTION.
   § 3. This act shall take effect on the first of July  next  succeeding
 the  date  on  which it shall have become a law; provided, however, that
 effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule
 or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effec-
 tive date are authorized to be made  or  completed  on  or  before  such
 effective date.

co-Sponsors

View additional co-sponsors

2019-S4070B (ACTIVE) - Details

Law Section:: Education Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §305, Ed L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2011-2012: S6182
2013-2014: S2367
2015-2016: S1947
2017-2018: S1953

2019-S4070B (ACTIVE) - Summary

2019-S4070B (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S4070B

SPONSOR: BIAGGI
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the education law, in relation to
requiring a course of study in the prevention of child sexual exploita-
tion and child sexual abuse

 
PURPOSE:

Enacts legislation to require the instruction of curriculum on the
prevention of child sexual exploitation and child sexual abuse in grades
kindergarten through eight.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: This act shall be known as and may be cited as "Erin's Law".

Section 2: mandates that all pupils in grades K-8 shall receive instruc-
tion designed to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse.

Section 3: sets the effective date.

 
EXISTING LAW:

Section 305 of the education law established the powers and duties of
the commissioner of education.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Awareness of the epidemic of child sexual abuse has come a long way
since section 803-a was enacted in 1994 and quality school safety
programs are already evolving to teach children that abduction by stran-
gers is not the only, or the most common, danger they face. Like other
sex crimes, most child sexual abuse is committed by people who know
their victims. Trusted acquaintances are most often the perpetrators,
followed by family members and then strangers. Updating the language of
New York's education requirement to reflect the current understanding of
both the sources and warning signs of child predation will help ensure
that more children receive practical and age-appropriate instruction
that they can incorporate into their daily lives.

As more and more abuse victims of all ages are coming forward to share
stories of horrifying abuses, we are regularly reminded of our sacred
obligation to prepare the next generation of children to meet life's
major challenges. Despite greater openness about these crimes, feelings
of shame or stigma still keep many victims and witnesses silent. Many
young people suffering abuse or exploitation are still unaware of when
and from whom to seek help. Concerned parents may not even know about
the latest techniques being used by predators to meet and groom their
victims through electronic communications, the Internet and social
media.

With our growing understanding of the many dangers facing our children
and the lifelong injuries sexual abuse and exploitation can inflict, the
cost of not providing this vital safety information to students is
simply too high.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2017-18: A.3953-A - Held for consideration in Education/S.1953-A -
Passed Senate
2015-16: A.90B - Referred to Education/S.1947B - Passed Senate
2013-14: A.661A - Referred to Education/S.2367 - Passed Senate
2011-12: A.8993 - Held for consideration in Education/S.6182 - Passed
Senate

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Minimal. The state education department will continue to provide techni-
cal assistance to school districts for these age-appropriate curricula.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date
on which it shall have become a law; provided, however, that effective
immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regu-
lation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective
date are authorized to be made or completed on or before such effective
date.

2019-S4070B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  4070--B
 
                        2019-2020 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             February 27, 2019
                                ___________
 
 Introduced by Sens. BIAGGI, ADDABBO, GIANARIS, GOUNARDES, HOYLMAN, JACK-
   SON,  KAPLAN,  KENNEDY, LIU, MAYER, METZGER, RAMOS, SERRANO, THOMAS --
   read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to  be  committed  to
   the  Committee  on  Education  --  committee discharged, bill amended,
   ordered reprinted as amended and  recommitted  to  said  committee  --
   committee  discharged,  bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and
   recommitted to said committee
 
 AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring a course  of
   study  in the prevention of child sexual exploitation and child sexual
   abuse
 
   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 "Erin's Law".
   §  2.  The  education  law is amended by adding a new section 803-b to
 read as follows:
   § 803-B. COURSES OF STUDY IN PREVENTION OF CHILD  SEXUAL  EXPLOITATION
 AND  CHILD  SEXUAL  ABUSE.  1.  ALL  PUPILS  IN GRADES K-8 IN ALL PUBLIC
 SCHOOLS IN THE STATE SHALL RECEIVE INSTRUCTION DESIGNED TO PREVENT CHILD
 SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND  CHILD  SEXUAL  ABUSE.  SUCH  PROGRAM  SHALL  BE
 DEFINED  BY  THE COMMISSIONER IN REGULATIONS AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE
 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND BE DESIGNED TO EDUCATE  STUDENTS,  PARENTS  AND
 SCHOOL  PERSONNEL  ABOUT THE PREVENTION OF CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND
 CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH  EIGHT.  SUCH  PROGRAM
 SHALL  INCLUDE,  BUT  NOT BE LIMITED TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS. NOTHING IN
 THIS SECTION SHALL PREVENT THE DEPARTMENT FROM MAKING  MODEL  CURRICULUM
 AND RESOURCE MATERIALS AVAILABLE ON THE DEPARTMENT'S WEBSITE.
   2.  THE COMMISSIONER MAY PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ASSIST IN THE
 DEVELOPMENT OF CURRICULA FOR SUCH COURSES OF STUDY WHICH  SHALL  BE  AGE
 APPROPRIATE AND DEVELOPED ACCORDING TO THE NEEDS AND ABILITIES OF PUPILS
 AT SUCCESSIVE GRADE LEVELS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE AWARENESS, SKILLS, INFOR-
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD01177-06-9

 S. 4070--B                          2
 
 MATION,  SELF-CONFIDENCE  AND  SUPPORT TO AID IN THE PREVENTION OF CHILD
 SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE.
   §  3.  This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding
 the date on which 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 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 S4070

Share this bill

Sponsored By

Archive: Last Bill Status - Signed by Governor

Bill Amendments

co-Sponsors

2019-S4070 - Details

2019-S4070 - Summary

2019-S4070 - Sponsor Memo

2019-S4070 - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

2019-S4070A - Details

2019-S4070A - Summary

2019-S4070A - Sponsor Memo

2019-S4070A - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

2019-S4070B (ACTIVE) - Details

2019-S4070B (ACTIVE) - Summary

2019-S4070B (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2019-S4070B (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments