NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY WEEKLY REPORT Assistant Speake FELIX W. ORTIZ

Working for Our Community in Albany and Brooklyn February 26, 2018

Protecting Our Communities and Law Enforcement CONTACT I introduced legislation (A.9798) that amends the penal law by increasing INFORMATION penalties for falsely reporting a “swatting incident” to law enforcement authorities by up to a prison term of five to ten years, a fine of up to DISTRICT OFFICE $150,000, or both. 5004 4th AVENUE “Swatting” is a harassment tactic used by people to mislead an emergency BROOKLYN, NY 11220 services dispatcher into sending a police or emergency service response 718-492-6334 team to an alleged crime or disaster scene. This is often triggered by falsely reporting a serious emergency such as a bomb threat, murder, hostage ALBANY OFFICE situation, or mass shooting. ROOM 731 LOB ALBANY, NY 11248 We must take an aggressive approach to stop false reporting from 518-455-3821 happening. Swatting calls unnecessarily and irresponsibly waste taxpayer dollars. These heinous acts not only jeopardize innocent lives, but our [email protected] federal, state and local law enforcement emergency responders who must be ready to answer real emergency calls. FelixWOrtiz Creating a Statewide Toll-Free Bullying Hotline @felixwortiz My legislation (A.9822) establishes a statewide toll-free hotline for reporting bullying incidents in New York State schools. If you have a comment or suggestion regarding the According to the Center for Addiction and Mental Health, almost one- upcoming year and the 2018 third of students are being bullied at school and more than one-fifth of students report having bullied someone else. Experts call for early session, please send an email, intervention to provide resolution and support for both the victim and the “like” the Facebook page and child who bullies. follow me on Twitter. Bullying can have a severe impact on children causing anxiety, physical ailments, absenteeism, school violence, diminished academic performance, and depression. A safe and positive learning environment is essential for student success. Early intervention and prevention is key to resolving the “The best way to violence and hate we are seeing in our schools and communities.

not feel hopeless Bullying is a serious issue that has widespread consequences for individuals, their families and our communities. Too many incidents go is to get up and unanswered and uncorrected, leaving behind unresolved trauma. A statewide toll-free hotline creates an anonymous avenue for our youth to do something. seek proper support and guidance.

Don’t wait for School Social Worker Bill good things to Alongside leaders of the National Association of Social Workers – New York State and New York City Chapters and the New York State School happen to you. If Social Workers’ Association, I held a press conference to introduce my legislation that would mandate every school district provide their students you go out and with access to a school social worker to assist with the students’ mental health. make some good My bill (A.9533-A) if enacted, is a strong step in improving the pressure on things happen, districts to meet the mental health needs of students, as well as improving their overall academic achievement. The specific intent of my legislation is you will fill the to assure that we have a licensed social worker in every educational institution throughout the state and city as a prevention and early world with hope, intervention measure. Early intervention is the key factor when drafting you will fill this legislation. We must assure that our youngest students who are facing dysfunctional yourself with homes, social and mental issues, bullying, and hate speech because of their immigration, sexual orientation and sexual identity status are cared for and hope.” protected throughout their educational process. ― Barack Obama For an Assembly Update on my school social worker bill please view: https://youtu.be/CZr954gIj4M