STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 6913 2025-2026 Regular Sessions IN ASSEMBLY March 18, 2025 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. ZACCARO -- read once and referred to the Commit- tee on Economic Development AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education for licensed cosme- tologists The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. Section 408-b of the general business law, as amended by 2 chapter 71 of the laws of 2020, is amended to read as follows: 3 § 408-b. Domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education. 1. 4 The department shall [ensure that] require all licensees and applicants 5 for a license or renewal pursuant to this article complete a course in 6 domestic violence and sexual assault awareness education [courses are 7 made available to all licensees and applicants for a license or renewal 8 pursuant to this article and that such courses are] which shall be 9 offered through the department's website. The department, in consulta- 10 tion with the office for the prevention of domestic violence and advoca- 11 cy groups recognized by the federal department of health and human 12 services or the federal department of justice, which have the ability to 13 coordinate statewide and with local communities on programming and 14 educational materials related to the prevention and intervention of 15 domestic violence or sexual assault in New York state, shall develop and 16 provide access to domestic violence and sexual assault awareness educa- 17 tion courses appropriate for those licensed under this article and shall 18 distribute educational materials to inform applicants under this article 19 about domestic violence and sexual assault awareness and prevention. 20 Such materials, including pamphlets, posters, and online resources, 21 shall be culturally competent, linguistically accessible, and tailored 22 to meet the needs of diverse populations, including victims of domestic 23 violence and their families. EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD10956-01-5
A. 6913 2 1 2. The office for the prevention of domestic violence and the depart- 2 ment shall collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including domestic 3 violence advocacy groups, law enforcement agencies, and social services 4 organizations, to ensure the accuracy, relevance, and effectiveness of 5 the educational materials required by this section. The office for the 6 prevention of domestic violence shall be responsible for making the 7 educational materials available on its website and through other chan- 8 nels, including cosmetology schools, salons, and spas. 9 3. The course required by this section shall be comprehensive and 10 shall include the following elements: 11 (a) the definitions and dynamics of domestic violence, including its 12 various forms, such as physical, emotional, financial, and sexual abuse; 13 (b) the signs and symptoms of domestic violence, including behavioral, 14 physical, and emotional indicators; 15 (c) strategies for identifying and responding to victims of domestic 16 violence, including how to initiate conversations, provide support, and 17 connect victims with local resources; 18 (d) information about local resources, including domestic violence 19 hotlines, shelters, and support groups; 20 (e) guidance on maintaining confidentiality and respecting victim 21 autonomy; 22 (f) cultural and linguistic barriers that may impact victims' ability 23 to seek help; 24 (g) strategies for creating a safe and supportive environment in the 25 salon or spa; and 26 (h) information about the legal requirements and protections for 27 victims of domestic violence, including restraining orders and victim 28 compensation, shall also be part of the course. 29 4. The office for the prevention of domestic violence shall ensure 30 that the course required by this section is available to and completed 31 by all persons licensed under this article. The office for the 32 prevention of domestic violence and the secretary of state are author- 33 ized to monitor compliance with this requirement and take enforcement 34 action as necessary. 35 § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after 36 it shall have become a law.