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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State Rep.
Scott Conklin |
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Teen dating violence bill approved by House committee
HARRISBURG, Dec. 16 – Centre County state Rep. Scott Conklin said a bill he authored aimed at curbing teen dating violence is one step closer becoming law.
The state House Education Committee unanimously approved the bill on Tuesday, and now it will go to the full House for a vote.
Conklin's legislation (H.B. 2026) would integrate teen dating violence education into middle and high school curriculums, and would require school districts to develop an anti-dating violence policy.
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 and characteristics of healthy relationships.
Conklin added his bill would be named the "Demi Brae Cuccia Law," after the Monroeville teen who lost her life as a result of dating violence.
"Too many teens have been victims, and sadly too many have unnecessarily lost their life," said Conklin. "The issue here is awareness. If we can raise awareness through education of our students, our daughters and sons will be better off."
Statistics show teen girls are three times more likely to experience relationship violence than adult women, and one in five high school girls reports being physically or sexually hurt by a dating partner.
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