What's happening
This bill requires New York schools to adopt and distribute policies preventing harassment, intimidation, and bullying, including cyberbullying.
Why it matters
Expands the definition of harassment and bullying to include electronic (cyber) acts. meaning that behaviors like cyberbullying, text-based harassment, and social media intimidation are now clearly recognized and actionable by schools, not just in-person conduct.
Requires schools to proactively educate both parents and students about cyberbullying. mandating the distribution of materials on safe internet use, the seriousness of online harassment, and practical steps for students or parents to take if cyberbullying occurs.
Mandates that school anti-bullying policies be updated and widely shared. ensuring that all stakeholders (students, parents, staff, and volunteers) are aware of the rules, rights, and responsibilities, which increases accountability and helps create a safer school environment.
Instructs the state education commissioner to develop model policies and training resources. providing schools with concrete guidance and best practices, which may help districts without existing expertise or resources implement more effective anti-bullying measures.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Student Bullying
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
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 Schools
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Michele Titus
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2086
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 12, 2017
Introduced by Sens. COMRIE, ADDABBO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed 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
S. 2086 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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to harassment prevention policies
Purpose
This bill will direct the commissioner of education to promulgate rules and regulations that prohibit harassment, intimidation and bullying of students.
Summary of provisions
This legislation will define harassment, intimidation or bullying. This legislation will require that the commissioner of education promulgate rules and regulations that prohibit harassment, intimidation and bullying of students. The commissioner will also be required to address the issue of cyberbullying and inform parents of safe Internet use that may prevent such harassment.
Justification
This bill will ensure school age children of compulsory age have a safe bully and intimidation free environment to learn. Providing school age children with such protections allows them to become more productive students and ensures that our children have available a welcoming learning environment.
Legislative history
2015-16: S.4948/A.1224 Referred to Education. 2013-14: S.2288 2011-2012: S.5051
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become 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.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.