NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A6913
SPONSOR: Zaccaro TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to domestic
violence and sexual assault awareness education for licensed cosmetolo-
gists
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would require all licensees and applicants for a license or
renewal of cosmetology to take an awareness course pertaining to domes-
tic violence and sexual assault.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. § 408-b of the general business law is amended to require an
educational awareness course on domestic violence and sexual assault for
all licensees' applicants for a license or renewal of cosmetology. In
addition, it requires the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence
to develop educational materials on domestic violence for cosmetology
professionals. The materials will cover topics such as definitions,
signs, and symptoms of domestic violence, response strategies, local
resources, and confidentiality. A comprehensive course will be required
for licensure, and the Office will ensure its availability and
completion by all licensees. Lastly, the Office and Secretary of State
will monitor compliance and take enforcement action as necessary.
Section 2. Effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
By educating cosmetology professionals on the signs of domestic violence
and sexual assault, this bill enables early intervention which is crit-
ical in preventing further abuse. Cosmetology professionals, such as
hairstylists and nail technicians, often develop close relationships
with their clients, making them uniquely positioned to identify signs of
domestic violence. By training them to recognize and respond to victims,
we will create a network of supportive professionals who can provide
guidance, resources, and a safe space for victims to share their experi-
ences.
Salons and spas can serve as safe spaces for victims of domestic
violence, providing a temporary reprieve from their abusive environment.
By training professionals to recognize and respond to victims, this bill
ensures these spaces remain safe and supportive. Moreover, it encourages
community engagement and collaboration between cosmetology profes-
sionals, domestic violence advocacy groups, and law enforcement agen-
cies. By fostering these relationships, this can build a stronger
support network for victims of domestic violence.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a new bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This law shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall become law.
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.
