S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
       ________________________________________________________________________
                                         7230
                              2013-2014 Regular Sessions
                                 I N  A S S E M B L Y
                                      May 8, 2013
                                      ___________
       Introduced  by  M. of A. ROSA -- read once and referred to the Committee
         on Education
       AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to peace/conflict  resol-
         ution centers
         THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
       BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
    1    Section  1.  Legislative  intent.  Peace/conflict  resolution  centers
    2  already  in operation at Luperon and Heritage High Schools in Washington
    3  Heights have demonstrated that mediation of disputes can reduce violence
    4  in schools, reduce the number of suspensions, and  promote  constructive
    5  conflict  management.  Peer  mediation  develops leadership skills among
    6  pupils and enables them to  apply  those  skills  immediately  in  their
    7  schools. This legislation requires every school district in the state to
    8  maintain a peace/conflict resolution center.
    9    S  2.  The  education law is amended by adding a new section 1504-a to
   10  read as follows:
   11    S 1504-A. PEACE/CONFLICT RESOLUTION CENTERS. 1. ALL  SCHOOL  DISTRICTS
   12  ARE  HEREBY  REQUIRED  TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A PEACE/CONFLICT RESOL-
   13  UTION CENTER.
   14    2. SUCH PEACE/CONFLICT RESOLUTION CENTERS SHALL:
   15    (A) PROVIDE FOR THE SUPERVISED PEER MEDIATION OF CONFLICTS;
   16    (B) DEVELOP PUPIL LEADERSHIP SKILLS; AND
   17    (C) PROMOTE PEACEFUL ATMOSPHERES IN SCHOOLS AND THE SURROUNDING COMMU-
   18  NITIES.
   19    S 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
        EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                             [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                  LBD02985-01-3