S1706-2013 Actions

• Jan 9, 2013: REFERRED TO EDUCATION

S1706-2013 Memo

BILL NUMBER:S1706

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend the education law, in relation to peace/conflict resolution
centers

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This legislation would require school districts to establish and
maintain peace/conflict resolution centers.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
The education law is amended by adding a new section 1504-a.

JUSTIFICATION:
The mission of a peer mediation program is to enable students to
resolve conflicts peacefully in order to Promote mutual understanding
of individuals and groups throughout the school. The program's design
is to enhance the climate of the school by providing each person
opportunities to learn that conflict is natural and the appropriate
means to peaceful solutions.

Peer mediation develops leadership skills among pupils and enables
them to apply those skills immediately in their schools. Students
offer the support and run the program with a Faculty/Staff advisor.
Peer mediators should be students that represent the student body and
exhibit attributes of leadership who are respected by their
classmates. Referrals can be made by administrators, counselors,
teachers and other students. Peer mediation issues are treated
confidentially. Issues, discussions and outcomes will not be divulged
except in cases which may be illegal or life threatening. A pair of
trained volunteer student mediators will meet with the two parties to
help them reach an agreement.

Peace/Conflict resolution centers already in operation at Luperon and
Heritage High schools in Washington Heights have demonstrated that
mediation of disputes can reduce violence in schools, reduce the
number of suspensions, and promote constructive conflict management.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: New Bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Immediately.

S1706-2013 Text

 S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 
 
                                         1706
 2013-2014 Regular Sessions
 I N  SENATE
 (PREFILED)
 January 9, 2013
 
 Introduced  by Sens. ESPAILLAT, PERKINS -- read twice and ordered print
 ed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
 

AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to peace/conflict  resol
 ution centers
 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

 

Section  1.  Legislative  intent.  Peace/conflict  resolution  centers
 already  in operation at Luperon and Heritage High Schools in Washington
 Heights have demonstrated that mediation of disputes can reduce violence
 in schools, reduce the number of suspensions, and  promote  constructive
 conflict  management.  Peer  mediation  develops leadership skills among
 pupils and enables them to  apply  those  skills  immediately  in  their
 schools. This legislation requires every school district in the state to
 maintain a peace/conflict resolution center.
 

S  2.  The  education law is amended by adding a new section 1504-a to
 read as follows:

 

S 1504-A. PEACE/CONFLICT RESOLUTION CENTERS. 1. ALL  SCHOOL  DISTRICTS
 ARE  HEREBY  REQUIRED  TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A PEACE/CONFLICT RESOL
 UTION CENTER.
 2. SUCH PEACE/CONFLICT RESOLUTION CENTERS SHALL:

 (A) PROVIDE FOR THE SUPERVISED PEER MEDIATION OF CONFLICTS;
 (B) DEVELOP PUPIL LEADERSHIP SKILLS; AND
 (C) PROMOTE PEACEFUL ATMOSPHERES IN SCHOOLS AND THE SURROUNDING COMMU
 NITIES.
 

S 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD02985-01-3

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