What's happening
This bill requires all New York schools to provide monthly instruction to increase student awareness of hate crimes and promote tolerance.
Why it matters
Mandates regular, standardized education on hate crimes for all students. , ensuring that awareness and understanding are part of the core curriculum in every public, private, and parochial school across New York State.
Clarifies what constitutes a hate crime. , specifically defining it as an offense motivated by characteristics such as race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and more—helping students recognize both overt and subtle forms of bias and discrimination.
Requires instruction to cover both symbols and historical context. , fostering a deeper understanding of the roots and lasting impact of hate crimes, not just their definitions, and helping students recognize the significance of certain symbols and objects in perpetuating hate.
Emphasizes the moral and legal consequences of hate crimes. , aiming to instill not just knowledge but also values of tolerance, acceptance, and civic responsibility, which could contribute to safer, more inclusive school environments.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Teach Hate Crime Awareness
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to education
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4953
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 3, 2017
Introduced by Sens. DIAZ, HAMILTON -- 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 requiring a course of instruction in the awareness of hate crimes
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 817 to read as follows:
§ 817. Course of instruction in the awareness of hate crimes. 1. The commissioner is hereby directed to provide and prescribe a course of instruction designed to increase awareness of the commission of hate crimes. For the purposes of this section hate crimes shall mean offenses which are committed based upon the race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation of the victim. Such instruction shall include examples of symbols and objects associated with hate crimes and the events and historical significance surrounding such symbols and objects. Such instruction shall also focus on the moral aspects and legal implications of such offenses and promote attitudes of tolerance and acceptance.
2. The board of education, trustees, principal or other person in charge of every public, private and parochial school in the state shall arrange for giving such course of instruction in every school under its or his or her control or direction. Such instruction shall be given to all of the pupils in every such school for a period of not less than forty-five minutes in each month during which such school is in session.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of September next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07139-01-7
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 requiring a course of instruction in the awareness of hate crimes
Purpose or general idea of bill
To educate every child in New York State on the issue of hate crimes.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. Amends the Education Law by adding a new section 817. Requires a course of instruction in the awareness of hate crimes. Directs the Commissioner to provide and proscribe a course of instruction designed to increase awareness of hate crimes. Defines hate crimes as those offenses which are committed based upon the race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation of the victim. Instruction will include examples of symbols and objects associated with hate crimes and the events and historical significance surrounding such symbols and objects. The instruction will also focus on the moral aspects and legal implications of such offenses and promote attitudes of tolerance and acceptance. Requires the board of education, trustees, principal or other person in charge of every private, public and parochial school in the state to arrange for giving such course of instruction in every school under its or his or her control or direction. Requires that such instruction shall be given to all pupils in every .school for a period of not less than forty-five minutes in each month during which such school is in session.
Read the full memo (671 words)
Section 2. Effective Date
Existing law
None
Justification
The recent prevalence of public hate crimes, including the hanging of nooses, displays of swastikas, and cross burnings, has increased awareness of continuing racial hatred in our nation. The cases involving the "Jena 6" in Louisiana, where a noose was hung on an oak tree outside a local high school, the hanging of a noose on the door of Madonna Constantine, an African-American professor at Columbia University, an assault at Gallaudet University where a student was held down against his will and had swastikas and KKK drawn on his body, and most recently, the burning of a cross on the property of a black family in upstate New York, draw attention to a disturbing trend that is occurring in America. While these are just a small sampling of hate crimes, the FBI in a November 2007 report found that hate crimes in America have increased by 8 percent since 2006. Police across the country have reported that criminal incidents targeting victims or property as a result of bias against a particular race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnic or national origin or physical or mental disability rose from 7,163 to 7,722 from 2007 to 2008. These numbers prove that we need to pay greater attention to an alarming trend that is contrary to the core values of America.
In response, this legislation would require the State to offer a valuable course to increase awareness of hate crimes to every child in New York State. It is important that schools teach core values of tolerance, acceptance and understanding to its students in order to prevent hate crimes. Educating children about the vile nature of hate crimes will directly combat negative language and stereotypes that are prevalent in our culture and the media. By educating our youth of the implications and consequences of hate crimes, the children of New York will better understand the differences in each citizen that make our state unique.
Prior legislative history
2016: S.132 - REFERRED TO EDUCATION 2015: S.132 - REFERRED TO EDUCATION 2014: S.561A - Amend and Recommit to Education/ A.3310A - Amend and Recommit to Education 2013:S.561- Referred to Education/A.3310- Referred to Education 2012:S.269-Referred to Education/ A.4586- Referred to Education 2011:S.269- Defeated in Education/A.4586- Referred to Education 2009-10: S.1985 - Referred to Education/A.3261 - Referred to Education 2008: A.9591 - Referred to Education
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first of September next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.