File #: Int 1409-2019    Version: * Name: Establishing a task force to address issues and consequences related to educator sexual abuse.
Type: Introduction Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Education
On agenda: 2/13/2019
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law in relation to establishing a task force to address issues and consequences related to educator sexual abuse
Sponsors: Mathieu Eugene, Laurie A. Cumbo
Council Member Sponsors: 2
Summary: This bill would create a task force including, at a minimum, the chancellor of the school district of New York, the commissioner of ACS, one school principal per borough, two school guidance counselors, two school psychologists, one parent coordinator per borough, and at least four members appointed by the Speaker of the Council, to study the consequences of educator sexual abuse on students. Within twelve months of appointment, the task force would be required to submit a report with recommendations relating to how the city and NYC public schools can establish mechanisms, resources, and services to help students who have suffered from such abuse.
Indexes: Council Appointment Required, Other Appointment Required, Report Required
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 1409, 2. Int. No. 1409, 3. February 13, 2019 - Stated Meeting Agenda with Links to Files, 4. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 2-13-19, 5. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - February 13, 2019

Int. No. 1409

 

By Council Members Eugene and Cumbo

 

A Local Law in relation to establishing a task force to address issues and consequences related to educator sexual abuse

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

                     Section 1. a. There shall be established a task force to study the consequences of educator sexual abuse on students, and to make recommendations within 12 months as to how the city and public schools can establish mechanisms, resources and services to help students who have suffered such abuse deal with such consequences.

b. The task force shall have at least 20 members as follows:

                     1. The chancellor of the city school district of the city of New York, or the chancellor’s designee, who shall serve as chair;

2. The commissioner of the administration for children’s services, or the commissioner’s designee;

3. At least one school principal from each borough, appointed by the mayor;

4. At least two school guidance counselors, appointed by the mayor;

5. At least two school psychologists, appointed by the mayor;

6. At least one parent coordinator from each borough, appointed by the mayor; and

7. At least four members appointed by the speaker of the council, including school administrators, teachers, guidance counselors or other appropriate department employees, and experts in childhood trauma, child development, or psychology.

c. One member shall be designated as chairperson by the mayor after consultation with the speaker.

d. Each member of the task force shall serve without compensation for a term of 12 months, to commence after the final member of the task force is appointed. All members shall be appointed within 60 days after the effective date of this local law.

e. The task force shall consult with agencies and may consult with interested members of the public, including but not limited to parents of students currently enrolled in the city school district of the city of New York.

f. The task force shall meet at least quarterly and shall hold at least one public meeting prior to submission of the plan required pursuant to subdivision g of this section to solicit public comment on addressing the consequences of educator sexual abuse.

g. No later than 12 months after the final member of the task force is appointed, the task force shall submit to the mayor, the speaker of the council and the chancellor of the city school district of the city of New York a plan to address the consequences of educator sexual abuse. In developing such plan, the task force shall consider the following:

1. Any data and reports of the department related to educator sexual abuse in schools, including any trends in the types of reported incidents of educator sexual abuse and how those incidents were discovered and reported;

2. Existing department policies, guidelines and resources related to educator sexual abuse and reporting by victims thereof;

3. Existing department methods and procedures for reporting and responding to allegations of educator sexual abuse;

                     4. Existing department training programs to help school employees identify and respond to educator sexual abuse; and

                     5. The level of coordination among appropriate city, state and federal agencies and other relevant organizations with regards to efforts to prevent and address educator sexual abuse in schools.

h. The task force required pursuant to this section shall dissolve upon submission of the plan required pursuant to subdivision h of this section.

§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.

 

 

NJC

LS #1883

2/6/2019