What's happening
This bill creates a prom and graduation safety program to educate students, parents, and educators on adolescent safety and substance abuse.
Why it matters
Addresses a critical time for risky behavior. By focusing on prom and graduation—a period when teens are statistically at higher risk for substance abuse and related accidents—the program targets prevention efforts when they may have the greatest impact.
Promotes cross-agency collaboration. The bill requires the Office of Mental Health, Department of Health, State Education Department, and State Police to work together, potentially resulting in more comprehensive and effective safety messaging for students and families.
Ensures information is accessible and current. Mandating that educational materials be posted online and updated annually increases the likelihood that students, parents, and educators receive relevant, up-to-date guidance about emerging drug trends and safety risks.
Expands prevention beyond just students. By including parents, guardians, and educators as recipients of the information, the bill recognizes the importance of a community approach to adolescent safety during high-risk celebrations.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Prom and Graduation Safety Program
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 4
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to alcoholism and drug abuse
- Referred to alcoholism and drug abuse
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Prom and Graduation Safety Program
In Assembly Committee · Ways And Means · Sponsor Linda Rosenthal
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3555
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 24, 2017
Introduced by Sen. BOYLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to the creation of a prom and graduation safety program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new section 19.26 to read as follows: § 19.26 Prom and graduation safety program.
(a) The office shall establish a prom and graduation safety program within the office, which shall focus upon ensuring the safety of adolescents attending their prom and celebrating high school graduation.
(b) The commissioner, in conjunction with the department of health, the state education department, and the division of state police, shall develop educational materials for students, educators, and parents and guardians with information and tips on how to keep adolescents safe and healthy, including, but not limited to, the dangers of the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, prescription medications, and illicit drugs with a focus on drugs that are prevalent among school-aged youth. Such educational materials, including printable brochures, shall be available on the websites of the office and the state education department and shall be updated annually.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05416-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to the creation of a prom and graduation safety program
Purpose
To create educational materials for students, educators, parents and guardians with information and tips on how to keep adolescents safe and healthy during prom and graduation season.
Summary of provisions
Section one amends the mental hygiene law by adding a new section, 19.26, which would establish a prom and graduation safety program within the office, which shall focus upon ensuring the safety of adolescents attending their prom and celebrating high school graduation.
Section two states the effective date.
Justification
Every year, thousands of high schools students attend prom, graduation ceremonies, and parties with their classmates. Unfortunately, some such celebrations have had tragic endings due to unsafe practices. These tragic events could be avoided by raising awareness and educating students on safe practices for prom and graduation season. According to the Century Council, in 2012 42% of 12th graders have admitted to drinking alcoholic beverages. The CDC has reported that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19, with 1 in 5 of those teen drivers involved in fatal crashes had alcohol in their system. Students are particularly vulnerable to several risks of underage drinking, including but not limited to alcohol poisoning and driving while intoxicated, while celebrating the end of high school. This legislation is designed to develop programs emphasizing how to stay safe and healthy while attending graduation and prom.
Legislative history
2015-2016: S607A died in Alcoholism and Drug Abuse 2013-2014: S.5513 Died in Mental Health
Fiscal implications
Minimal to the state.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.