Hello New Yorkers!
We have shared a bit about our legislative effort to pass some legislation in New York state, and we’re happy to report that it is MOVING! So now we need your help!
The bill is in the Assembly, having been drafted by Representative Skoufis from the 99th District. (Here’s a recap of how a bill becomes a law in NY [we’re at Step 4].) We’ve been working with his office for number of months to develop a bill that will create some accountability in the unregulated self-help industry. You can download the bill below, but here’s a quick recap of what it does:
- This is actually an amendment to the existing business law and executive law
- It requires non-licensed self-help providers to
- disclose potential risks that their events at the time of signing a contract for services
- share a comprehensive risk management plan with consumers
- make licensed professionals such as medical professionals and psychologists available at events to help in the event of an emergency
- register with the State of NY as a non-licensed self-help professional
- It includes penalties if these requirements are not followed by self-help providers
We now need you to start contacting your local representatives in the Assembly to encourage them to sign onto and support this bill.
To that end, we’ve created some tools to make this very simple for you:
- Find your NY State Assembly Member
- a letter that you can mail or email to your rep
- a script for making phone calls to their offices
- a PDF copy of the bill as it exists now for you to see
Please note that we already have the support of the following representatives: Vivian Cook (District 32, Queens), Pamela Harris (46, Bklyn), Earlene Hooper (18 Hempstead, Queens), Alicia Hyndman (29, Springfield Gardns), Sandy Galef (95, Ossining, lower Hudson Valley) and Michael Kearns (142 West Seneca). If any of these are your representative, feel free to call them to thank them and encourage them in their support!
We also ask you to share this widely among your network to get the word out!
If you’re not from New York, don’t despair! We are hoping to introduce this effort to other states as well. This will be easier once this bill is successful in New York. If you’re interested in helping us do this, feel free to contact us so we can use your help when we’re ready!
What else you can do if you are a seeker:
- Start demanding these promises from your self-help providers anyway! So what if it’s not yet a law? Consumer demand is also a powerful route to change. Demand that your self-help provider show you their risk management plan, provide licensed professionals to help in the event of some harm or injury, and encourage them to share their qualifications with you and only do things they’re qualified to do!
- Share your stories with us! Your stories have impact. If you’ve had a questionable experience with a so-called self-help guru or professional, tell us! Your story helps build the case for the need to have legislation like this.
Thanks for the support!
