Newsletter: Summer 2004: Policy Update

Senate Rejects Timothy's Law for Mental Health Parity
Rejecting the broader, inclusive Timothy’s Law, the State Senate instead passed S.7296-A, which some advocates say will be the weakest parity law in the nation.  Advocates say the bill the Senate passed fails to serve about 70% of the people who would be reached by Timothy’s Law, and doesn’t even cover Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), leaving survivors of September 11th and victims of sexual abuse uncovered.  To learn more, visit the New Yorkers for Timothy’s Law website at http://www.mhanys.org/timothyslaw/index.htm.

Increased Access to Emergency Contraception Blocked
By allowing trained pharmacists and registered nurses to dispense safe and effective emergency contraception, the Unintended Pregnancy Act would immediately reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and abortions - and cut costs to Medicaid and private insurers.  Senate Republicans refused to vote on the bill introduced by the Senate Democrats.  Thanks to the city and state, all hospital emergency departments in the state are mandated to make EC available on-site.  However, not all survivors can access emergency department care, and this bill would have cast a wider net to reach those survivors.  See “Time for Plan C” in this issue to learn more.

DNA Submission for Convicted Criminals Expanded
The Assembly passed Bill A11721/S7659 on June 30, 2004 that would significantly expand New York State’s criminal DNA database by around 15,000 new samples, requiring DNA submission by all persons convicted of sex-related crimes covered under Megan’s Law and approximately 100 other violent or threatening crimes, such as identity theft, aggravated assault, and attempted murder in the first degree.  Designated offenders (felony and misdemeanor) for DNA submission are all specifically listed in the bill.  The bill is a Governor’s Program Bill, so it is expected that Governor Pataki will sign the bill into law.    

Joyce Leslie Recalls Shirts with Harmful Message to Girls
This spring Joyce Leslie, a clothing store which markets to junior girls, began selling shirts that say: "You Can Beat Me, You Can Abuse Me, But Don't Touch My Hair Or I'll Kill You."  In response to an immediate and overwhelming number of calls from the anti-violence community, they have issued a recall. The Alliance applauds the hundreds of people who called to complain, and helped make a difference.  We encourage advocates, especially those who originally spoke out to protest the sales, to please take a moment to thank Joyce Leslie for responding to our concerns.  They can be reached at 1-800-526-6216 or 1-201-804-7800 (ask for Rita or the customer service department) or by mail to Joyce Leslie, Attention: President; 135 E. Commercial; Moonachie, N.J.  07074.