Bill Text: NJ A2379 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires school districts to include information on reproductive coercion as part of the dating violence education program.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-02-06 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee [A2379 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-A2379-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman PAMELA R. LAMPITT
District 6 (Burlington and Camden)
SYNOPSIS
Requires school districts to include information on reproductive coercion as part of the dating violence education program.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the dating violence education program provided in public schools and amending P.L.2011, c.64.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 6 of P.L.2011, c.64 (C.18A:35-4.23a) is amended to read as follows:
6. a. Beginning with the 2011-2012 school year, each school district shall incorporate dating violence education that is age appropriate into the health education curriculum as part of the district's implementation of the Core Curriculum Content Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education for students in grades 7 through 12.
b. The dating violence education shall include, but not be limited to, information on the definition of dating violence, recognizing dating violence warning signs, and the characteristics of healthy relationships.
c. To assist school districts in developing a dating violence education program, the Department of Education shall recommend educational resources on dating violence, including resources on reproductive coercion.
d. Upon written request to the school principal, a parent or legal guardian of a student less than 18 years of age, shall be permitted within a reasonable period of time after the request is made, to examine the dating violence education program instruction materials developed by the school district.
e. Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, the dating violence education required pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall include information on reproductive coercion.
f. As used in this section:
"Dating partner" means any person involved in an intimate association with another individual that is primarily characterized by the expectation of affectionate involvement, whether casual, serious, or long-term.
"Dating violence" means a pattern of behavior where one person threatens to use, or actually uses physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional abuse to control a dating partner.
"Reproductive coercion"
means behavior intended to maintain power and control in a relationship related
to reproductive health by someone who is, was, or wishes to be involved in an
intimate or dating relationship with an adult or adolescent. The behavior
includes explicit attempts to impregnate a partner against her will, control
outcomes of a pregnancy, coerce a partner to have
unprotected sex, and interfere with contraceptive methods.
(cf: P.L.2011, c.64, s.6)
2. Section 2 of P.L.2011, c.64 (C.18A:37-34) is amended to read as follows:
2. As used in this act:
"At school" means in a classroom or anywhere on school property, on a school bus or other school-related vehicle, at an official school bus stop, or at any school-sponsored activity or event whether or not it is on school grounds.
"Dating partner" means any person involved in an intimate association with another individual that is primarily characterized by the expectation of affectionate involvement, whether casual, serious, or long-term.
"Dating violence" means a pattern of behavior where one person threatens to use, or actually uses physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional abuse to control a dating partner.
"Reproductive coercion" means behavior intended to maintain power and control in a relationship related to reproductive health by someone who is, was, or wishes to be involved in an intimate or dating relationship with an adult or adolescent. The behavior includes explicit attempts to impregnate a partner against her will, control outcomes of a pregnancy, coerce a partner to have unprotected sex, and interfere with contraceptive methods.
(cf: P.L.2011, c.64, s.2)
3. Section 4 of P.L.2011, c.64 (C.18A:37-36) is amended to read as follows:
4. The Department of Education shall recommend educational resources on dating violence, including resources on reproductive coercion, and shall post these materials on its website.
(cf: P.L.2011, c.64, s.4)
4. Section 5 of P.L.2011, c.64 (C.18A:37-37) is amended to read as follows:
5. The provisions of P.L.2011, c.64 (C.18A:37-33 et al.) and P.L. , c. (pending before the Legislature as this bill) shall not be interpreted to prevent a victim from seeking redress under any other available law, either civil or criminal, and does not create or alter any tort liability.
(cf: P.L.2011, c.64, s.5)
5. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
Under current law, school districts are required to provide dating violence education that is age-appropriate as part of the district's implementation of the Core Curriculum Content Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education for students in grades 7 through 12. This bill requires school districts, beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, to include information on reproductive coercion as part of the dating violence education program.
Reproductive coercion is defined by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists as "behavior intended to maintain power and control in a relationship related to reproductive health by someone who is, was, or wishes to be involved in an intimate or dating relationship with an adult or adolescent. This behavior includes explicit attempts to impregnate a partner against her will, control outcomes of a pregnancy, coerce a partner to have unprotected sex, and interfere with contraceptive methods."
According to Futures Without Violence, approximately one in five young women said they had experienced reproductive coercion, and one in seven said they had also experienced active interference with contraception (also called birth control sabotage). Futures Without Violence also indicates that girls who are victims of dating violence are four to six times more likely than non-abused girls to become pregnant, and that 40% of pregnant women who have been exposed to abuse report that their pregnancy was unintended.
