Legislative Alert January 2008

Purpose

Legislative Alert

Teen Center's Legislative Alert helps keep you informed of legislative changes that affect services to teens experiencing dating violence. At both the federal and state level, changes to laws are being proposed and enacted each year that may influence your work with teens. The Legislative Alert will be published quarterly and feature many new laws and policies that impact the response to teen dating violence across the country.

Federal Update

Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Resolution Passed

S. Res. 388 - In December 2007, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution authored by Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) declaring February 4-8, 2008 "National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week." This is the third year that the first week in February has been dedicated to promoting the prevention of teen dating violence. Recognizing the high prevalence of teen dating violence, the resolution calls upon "high schools, law enforcement, State and local officials, and interested groups to observe National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week with appropriate programs and activities that promote awareness and prevention of the crime of teen dating violence in their communities."

Omnibus Appropriations Bill Signed Into Law

H.R. 2764 - The Omnibus Appropriations Bill passed both houses of Congress and was signed into law by the President in December 2007. The bill set funding for federal agencies and programs for the fiscal year 2008. Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) programs saw a $17.3 million increase, including several new and vital programs for teens. The Services for Children Exposed to Domestic Violence, Services for Teens, and Engaging Men and Youth in Prevention programs each received $2.8 million in initial funding.

International Violence Against Women Act Introduced

S.2279 - The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) was introduced by Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) and Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) on October 31, 2007. The legislation calls for U.S. efforts to end violence against women globally and for these efforts to be integrated into U.S. foreign assistance programs. I-VAWA provides funding to support programs in selected countries that address violence against women and girls in five program areas. One of these areas is school-based intervention and prevention programs, including training for teachers and administrators, development of school policies addressing campus safety, collection of data on school-related violence, and education programs for girls and boys on the unacceptability of violence against women.

Contact Us

As 2008 legislative sessions begin in states across the country, we want to know about the work that is being done in your state to improve the response to teen dating violence. If you know about or are involved in legislation pending in your state, contact us at policy@breakthecycle.org.