What's happening
This bill requires schools to adopt and share policies preventing harassment, intimidation, and bullying, including cyberbullying, among students.
Why it matters
Broadens the definition of harassment and bullying. to include not just physical, verbal, or written acts, but also those conducted electronically—meaning the law recognizes cyberbullying as equally harmful and actionable as in-person conduct.
Requires clear communication and education. Schools must provide copies of their harassment and bullying prevention policies to parents, students, staff, and volunteers, ensuring everyone understands the rules and consequences.
Mandates statewide standards and resources. The Commissioner of Education must consult stakeholders to create model policies and training materials, which must be accessible online, helping schools implement effective and consistent anti-bullying strategies.
Specifically addresses cyberbullying. Schools must update their policies to explicitly include cyberbullying, educate families about its dangers, promote responsible internet use, and clarify reporting options—including when to involve police or service providers—ensuring a comprehensive approach to digital safety.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Student Bullying in Schools
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
4 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Ban Student Bullying
In Senate Committee · Education · Sponsor Leroy Comrie
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4622
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 3, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. TITUS, PEOPLES-STOKES, CAHILL, M. G. MILLER -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COLTON, GALEF, GOTTFRIED, ROSENTHAL -read once and referred to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to harassment prevention policies
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 313-b to read as follows:
§ 313-b. Harassment prevention policies. 1. The commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations that prohibit the harassment, intimidation or bullying of any student. It shall be the responsibility of each school district to make available copies of such policies to parents, guardians, students, volunteers and school employees.
2. As used in this section:
(a) "Harassment, intimidation or bullying" shall mean any intentional electronic, written, verbal or physical act, including but not limited to one shown to be motivated by any characteristic in section 240.25, 240.26, 240.30 or 240.31 of the penal law, or other distinguishing characteristics, when the intentional electronic, written, verbal or physical act:
(1) physically harms a student or damages the student's property; or
(2) has the effect of substantially interfering with a student's education; or
(3) is so severe, persistent or pervasive that it creates an intimidating educational environment; or
(4) has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.
(b) "Electronic" or "electronic means" shall mean any communication where there is the transmission of information by wire, radio, optical cable, electromagnetic or other similar means. Such terms shall include,
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00212-01-7
A. 4622 2
but not be limited to, communication via electronic mail, internet-based communications, pager service, cell phones and electronic messaging.
3. The commissioner, in promulgating such rules and regulations, shall consult with parents, school personnel and other interested parties. The commissioner shall provide to school districts a model harassment, intimidation and bullying prevention policy as well as training materials for use in implementing such policy. The commissioner shall post the model policy, recommended training materials and instructional materials on the department's website.
4. The commissioner, by August first, two thousand eighteen, shall update the harassment, intimidation and bullying policy to include a section addressing acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying that are conducted via electronic means. The policy shall include a requirement that materials meant to educate parents and students about the seriousness of cyberbullying be disseminated to parents or made available on a school district's website. The material shall include information on responsible and safe internet use as well as what options are available if a student is being bullied via electronic means including, but not limited to, reporting threats to local police and when to involve school officials, the internet service provider or phone service provider. If a school district has internet use policies, the act of harassing, intimidating or bullying another student via online means shall be included as a prohibited act and be subject to disciplinary action.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the timely implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.