BILL NUMBER: S3220

SPONSOR: CLEARE
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public buildings law, in relation to requiring
information on resources for domestic violence and human trafficking
victims to be posted in public restrooms

 
PURPOSE:

Requiring that information about domestic violence and human trafficking
and resources for victims be posted in state-owned public restrooms and
buildings including but not limited to government buildings, camp-
grounds, state park facilities, and Thruway rest stops.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1. The public buildings law is amended by adding a new section
145 to read as follows: § 145. Availability of resources for victims of
domestic violence and human trafficking in public buildings.

              

1. As used in this section: (a) "covered public building" means a public
building owned by the state of New York, under the supervision and
control of the commissioner of general services, that is determined by
said commissioner to be open to the public. (b) Contact information and
other appropriate resources shall be compiled and published by the state
Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, in collaboration with
the New York State Interagency Task Force on Human Trafficking. These
shall be published in English and in such other languages as are deemed
appropriate by the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and
the New York State Interagency Task Force on Human Trafficking. 2. A
covered public building shall make available in plain view and in a
conspicuous place and manner in the public restrooms, and any other
appropriate areas, contact information and other resources deemed appro-
priate to assist victims of domestic violence and human trafficking.
Contact information shall include, but not be limited to, the domestic
violence hotline telephone number maintained by the state Office for the
Prevention of Domestic Violence, the New York State Police, the Division
of Criminal Justice Services, and the National Hum an Trafficking
Hotline.

Section 2. Effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Victims of domestic violence or human trafficking rarely have the priva-
cy or isolation to seek help. By posting hotlines and resources in bath-
rooms and public buildings, this is an opportunity to assist these
victims in getting the information, resources, and help they need espe-
cially as they may be traveling throughout the state.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2019-20: A.8690

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect 90 days after it becomes law.