File #: Res 0149-2004    Version: * Name: NYS Legislature to pass the Safe Mentoring Act
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Youth Services
On agenda: 2/26/2004
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass the Safe Mentoring Act (A. 8097-B and S. 5243-B), which would provide for the certification of mentoring supervisors and require criminal history background checks of mentors who have unsupervised contact with youth.
Sponsors: Margarita Lopez, Tony Avella, Maria Baez, Lewis A. Fidler, Helen D. Foster, Vincent J. Gentile, Robert Jackson, Michael C. Nelson, Domenic M. Recchia, Jr., Joel Rivera, James Sanders, Jr., Larry B. Seabrook, Albert Vann, Kendall Stewart, David I. Weprin, James F. Gennaro
Council Member Sponsors: 16

Res. No. 149

 

 

Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass the Safe Mentoring Act (A. 8097-B and S. 5243-B), which would provide for the certification of mentoring supervisors and require criminal history background checks of mentors who have unsupervised contact with youth.

 

 

By Council Members Lopez, Avella, Baez, Fidler, Foster, Gentile, Jackson, Nelson, Recchia, Rivera, Sanders, Seabrook, Vann, Stewart, Weprin and Gennaro

 

 

                     Whereas, Research has shown that mentoring programs can help to increase a student’s academic achievement and improve a young persons self-esteem and social skills; and

Whereas, According to a Legislative Update issued by Big Brothers - Big Sisters of New York City, mentoring is the fastest growing youth service offered in New York; and                      

Whereas, Research conducted by Big Brothers - Big Sisters found that over 50,000 children participate annually in the over 2,500 mentoring programs that operate in New York State; and

                                          Whereas, Under current New York State law, adults who mentor children and youth in New York State are not required to be screened for any evidence of a prior criminal history; and

Whereas, The Safe Mentoring Act (A. 8097-B and S. 5243-B) would require similar criminal background checks for mentors as are now mandated for teachers, childcare workers, bus drivers and other adults who spend unsupervised time with children; and

                     Whereas, Additionally, the Act would establish a voluntary certification and training program for mentoring supervisors; and

Whereas, The protections in the Act will assist organizations, such as Big Brothers - Big Sisters, in providing safe and effective mentoring programs; and

Whereas, The Safe Mentoring Act has been endorsed by the New York State Child Care Coalition, the New York State Police Chiefs Association, the New York State Sheriffs and other child welfare and law enforcement associations; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass the Safe Mentoring Act (A. 8097-B and S. 5243-B), which would provide for the certification of mentoring supervisors and require criminal history background checks of mentors who have unsupervised contact with youth.