Bill Text: NJ AR179 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges professional sports leagues and teams to implement no-tolerance policy concerning domestic violence with severe repercussions.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 13-6)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-10-23 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Women and Children Committee [AR179 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-AR179-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman BETTYLOU DECROCE
District 26 (Essex, Morris and Passaic)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywomen Simon, Rodriguez-Gregg, Assemblyman O'Scanlon, Assemblywoman Gove, Assemblyman Rumpf, Assemblywomen Casagrande, Schepisi, Angelini, McHose and N.Munoz
SYNOPSIS
Urges professional sports leagues and teams to implement no-tolerance policy concerning domestic violence with severe repercussions.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution urging professional sports leagues and teams to implement a no-tolerance policy concerning domestic violence with severe repercussions.
Whereas, More than 40 million women in the United States have experienced some form of domestic violence in their lifetime and stopping domestic violence is a national priority that requires long-term, meaningful investment; and
Whereas, New Jersey law enforcement agencies reported 70,311 domestic violence offenses in 2011; and
Whereas, The National Football League (NFL) has recently fallen under scrutiny for its poor handling of domestic violence cases involving some of its players; and
Whereas, Professional football has been the most popular sport in the United States for nearly 50 years and NFL viewership has been trending upward, making NFL players household names and fueling admiration and ultimately emulation of players' actions by America's youth; and
Whereas, A national study by the Kaiser Family Foundation examining children's perceptions of athletes' behavior, both on and off the field, found that many children are learning lessons about sports and life from famous athletes, and 73 percent of children surveyed ranked famous athletes among the most admired people in their lives; and
Whereas, Of the 10 highest rated broadcast television shows in 2013-2014 watched by viewers between the ages of 18 and 49, four were sports-related, evidencing the level of exposure that professional sports leagues enjoy in this country; and
Whereas, Professional sports leagues and teams must demonstrate to their players, partners, advertisers, fans, and, most importantly, America's youth that domestic violence will not be tolerated in professional sports; and
Whereas, Professional sports leagues and teams must further demonstrate that they are serious about domestic violence issues and that any individual associated with professional sports committing acts of domestic violence will face immediate and severe punishment; and
Whereas, It is in the best interest of the citizens and residents of this State for this House to address the alarming rise of domestic violence in professional sports by urging all professional leagues and teams to implement a no-tolerance policy concerning domestic violence and establish severe repercussions for violations of the policy with all monetary fines donated to related victim funds; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House urges all professional sports leagues, including all major and minor leagues and teams, to implement a no-tolerance policy concerning domestic violence with severe repercussions with all monetary fines donated to related victim funds.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Commissioner of the National Football League, the Commissioner of the National Basketball Association, the Commissioner of the National Hockey League, and the Commissioner of Major League Baseball.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges professional sports leagues and teams to implement a no-tolerance policy concerning domestic violence with severe repercussions with all monetary fines donated to related victim funds.
The NFL and its commissioner have recently fallen under scrutiny for their shameful handling of domestic violence cases involving some of the league's players. More than 40 million women in the United States have experienced some form of domestic violence in their lifetime. New Jersey law enforcement agencies reported 70,311 domestic violence offenses in 2011. Stopping this alarming rise of domestic violence is a national priority that requires long-term, meaningful investment.
A national survey of children and parents found that many children learn lessons about sports and life from famous athletes. Due to the popularity of sports in the United States, professional athletes have become household names and are often admired and emulated by America's youth. Professional sports leagues and teams must ensure that their athletes are setting the right example for children. By implementing a no-tolerance policy with regard to domestic violence, the sports leagues and teams will send a clear and powerful message that domestic violence has no place in professional sports. Moreover, the monetary fines collected by the leagues could provide funding to domestic violence prevention programs and support programs for victims of domestic violence.
This House urges all professional leagues and teams to implement a no-tolerance policy concerning domestic violence and establish severe repercussions for violations of the policy with all monetary fines donated to related victim funds.
