2012 Conference Executive Record Report.pdf - YMCA of Greater ...

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STATE OF NEW YORK
YMCA YOUTH AND GOVERNMENT
BILL NUMBER S - 13
INTRODUCED BY: Emily Vigliotta, Devin Messina, Celina Bassett and Ashley Guillois
AN ACT
TO: Amend the New York State Penal Law by adding section 125.30, to require parental permission for a minor to have
an abortion.
The People of the State of New York, represented in the
Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to require any unemancipated minor to receive consent from a parent or guardian in order to
have an abortion. This will ensure that minors make responsible decisions, under the guidance of their guardian,
regarding whether or not to have an abortion.
Summary of Provisions
Section 1: Definitions
Unemancipated: a minor still under parental authority
Section 2: Provisions
125.30 Parental Consent for a minor to have an abortion.
It is required that all unemancipated minors receive parental permission, from one or more parents, to have an
abortion.
Justification
Parents have traditionally been recognized as having rights regarding the medical authority of their children. In New
York State, parents are required by law to provide permission when their minor child has a tooth drilled, bone x-rayed, or
ears pierced, but they do not need to give consent for their pregnant daughter to have the surgical procedure of an
abortion. Parents in New York State have the right to have a say in a serious medical procedure, which could affect their
daughter both physically and emotionally for the rest of her life.
This bill addresses the best interest of minors. In New York, over 83% of abortions occur in outpatient clinics; therefore,
a girl is unlikely to have the benefit of conferring with a trusted family physician about her decision. Mandating parental
consent of a minor’s decision to have an abortion will help to ensure that the minor is speaking to those who know her
best about her medical history, the risks of abortion, and available alternatives.
There are also a myriad of side effects from abortions including but not limited to PTSD, cancer, heart disease, urine
hemorrhage, uterine perforation, or inflammation. This bill will help make sure the girl receives any necessary treatment
or medical attention following the procedure. In order to protect any pregnant girls considering abortion, New York must
join the 22 other states and require parental permission for a minor to have an abortion. Where parental consent for
abortions has been put into effect, the results have been significant and extremely beneficial to the state and citizens.
Fiscal Implications
There are no fiscal implications for this bill.
Effective Date
This bill will go into effect exactly one year after its passage.
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STATE OF NEW YORK
YMCA YOUTH AND GOVERNMENT
BILL NUMBER S - 20
INTRODUCED BY: Kaliel Williamson, Thomasina Nguyen, Jah'male Dickson, & Kiersten Gordon
AN ACT
TO: Regulate in-store tobacco advertisement
The people of the State of New York, represented in the
Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Purpose
To prevent New York State minors from exposure to tobacco advertisements that may convince them to use said
substance, even though it is only legal for adult use.
Summary of Provisions
Section 1
"Material" means anything tangible which is capable of being used or adapted to arouse interest, whether through the
medium of reading, observation, sound or in any other manner, or the display.
“Class B Misdemeanor” means any misdemeanor that is punishable by imprisonment of up to six months.
“ATUPA” means adolescent tobacco use prevention act - which says that stores cannot sell tobacco products to minors. If
violated, fines and/or licence suspension is implemented depending on the number of offences.
Section 2
Tobacco materials are to be kept out of sight in stores that are open to minors. Tobacco materials may be kept under
counters, in closed cabinets, or other areas out of sight to customers unless the customer demonstrates proof of legal age.
A person or establishment is guilty of illegally advertising tobacco products to minors when the material is located in
plain view inside, outside, and on the property of the store. Punishment for unlawful tobacco advertising corresponds with
the punishment outlined in the Adolescent Tobacco Use Prevention Act (ATUPA) - Public Health Law Article 13-F.
Justification
Youth who shop in stores filled with tobacco advertisements are twice as likely to start smoking. Tobacco advertisements
are more influential on adolescent smoking behavior than peer pressure. In a survey of Albany county minors, most agree
that less teens would smoke without tobacco advertisements. Studies show that minors are influenced by tobacco
advertisements more than adults. Studies show that adults who already use tobacco are barely influenced by the
advertisements. On average, people who begin smoking do so before the age of 18.
Tobacco companies may still communicate with adults and retailers may inform customers that cigarettes are for sale.
Places that have criminalized in-store tobacco advertisement have seen decline in youth tobacco use, and local business
have not experienced any significant impact.
There are highly negative social implications for a large smoking population.
(a) Smoking overall kills 25,500 people every year in New York State.
(b) Secondhand smoke kills 2,500 New Yorkers every year.
(c) There are an estimated 570,000 New Yorkers afflicted with serious disease directly attributable to their smoking.
A state average of 14.8% of teenagers use tobacco products. Cigarettes are the only legal substance that is harmful when
used properly or in any amount. The World Health Organization supports a ban on tobacco product displays. Minors are
not legally permitted to smoke, so they should not be influenced to.
Fiscal Implications
The New York State government budget will not be altered. New York State small business owners will largely be
unaffected as seen in countries that already apply this law (Canada, Thailand, Iceland)
More than $8.1 billion is spent treating illnesses caused by smoking. In 2010, smoking caused $6.5 billion in lost wages
and productivity. This law may eventually offset the negative implications of a large smoking population.
Effective Date
This law will be enacted January 1st, 2013.