What's happening
This bill amends the Dignity for All Students Act to apply its protections to private, religious, and denominational schools.
Why it matters
Extends anti-bullying and anti-discrimination protections. By removing the exemption for private, religious, and denominational schools, this bill ensures students at these institutions receive the same legal protections as public school students under the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA).
Impacts how private and religious schools must operate. These schools may now need to develop or revise policies, staff training, and reporting procedures to comply with DASA, potentially affecting admissions, discipline, and day-to-day school culture.
Strengthens rights and recourse for affected students. Students (and their families) in private and religious schools gain new avenues to address harassment, discrimination, or bullying, possibly including legal action if schools fail to protect them.
May prompt debate about religious freedom and school autonomy. The amendment could raise concerns or legal challenges from private and religious institutions regarding state oversight and the balance between civil rights protections and religious or institutional independence.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Expand Student Rights Protections
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6216
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 11, 2017
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- 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 the application of the dignity for all students act
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 17 of the education law, as added by chapter 482 of the laws of 2010, is amended to read as follows:
§ 17. Application. Nothing in this article shall[:
1. Apply to private, religious or denominational educational institutions; or
2. Preclude] preclude or limit any right or cause of action provided under any local, state or federal ordinance, law or regulation including but not limited to any remedies or rights available under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Law of 1964, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08954-01-7
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 the application of the dignity for all students act
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this bill is to afford all students an environment free of any harassment that substantially interferes with their education, regardless of the basis of the harassment, and free of discrimination based on actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or sex.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill repeals the application of this article and applies it to all public, private, religious or denominational education institutions
Justification
Students need such a safe, welcoming and supportive school environment so that they can concentrate on their academic and personal growth, and they should never have to be preoccupied by the threat or actual occurrence of harassment or discrimination at school. This amendment for the Dignity for All Students Act promotes civility among students and between students and teachers and applies it to all educational entities not just public one. This amendment will also help create an atmosphere where learning is paramount and distractions to learning are minimized for all youth.
Legislative history
New Bill.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.