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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Robert F. Matzie |
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Teen dating violence bill passes House
HARRISBURG, March 16 – State Rep. Robert F. Matzie, D-Allegheny/Beaver, said a bill he co-sponsored to prevent teen dating violence passed the state House today.
The legislation (H.B. 2026) would integrate teen dating violence education into middle and high school curriculums, and require school districts to develop an anti-dating violence policy.
Under the bill, school faculty and administrators would be taught about dating violence and how to recognize its warning signs. Schools would provide age-appropriate education in the classroom, including warning signs about dating violence.
Matzie said statistics show teen girls are three times more likely to experience relationship violence than adult women and one in five high school girls report being physically or sexually hurt by a dating partner.
"House Bill 2026 would provide schools and students with the necessary tools to prevent and bring an end to violent teenage relationships," Matzie said.
The legislation now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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