What's happening
This bill requires New York to create and implement an educational program to prevent anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and discrimination in schools.
Why it matters
Brings outside expertise into schools. The bill requires the state to hire an external organization specializing in anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and discrimination prevention, ensuring that curriculum and resources are informed by real-world expertise rather than being developed solely within the education department.
Focuses on both prevention and reporting. By mandating age-appropriate curriculum and best-practice resources for students, parents, and school staff, the bill aims to proactively prevent bias incidents and also equips the school community with clear guidelines on how to recognize, address, and report discrimination.
Makes resources accessible and inclusive. All materials must be available in multiple languages (including Spanish, Creole, Mandarin, Korean, and Bengali), which broadens access for New York’s diverse population and ensures that non-English-speaking families can participate in anti-discrimination efforts.
Emphasizes voluntary but broad implementation. While the curriculum and resources are to be made available for use in social studies classes, their implementation is voluntary, allowing for flexibility in how schools integrate anti-bias education while still providing robust support and guidance statewide.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Teach Anti-Bias in Schools
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Print number 9599b
- Amend (t) and recommit to education
- Print number 9599a
- Amend (t) and recommit 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.
Teach Anti-Bias in Schools
In Senate Committee · Education · Sponsor Anna Kaplan
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
9599--B
IN ASSEMBLY
January 27, 2020
Introduced by M. of A. STERN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- again reported from said committee with amendments, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to establishing an educational program related to the prevention of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia bias and discrimination based on religion, race, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 305 of the education law is amended by adding a new subdivision 59 to read as follows:
59. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, and subject to an appropriation, the department shall contract with an outside entity who has expertise in the prevention of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia bias and discrimination based on religion, race, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression to establish an anti-Semitism, Islamophobia bias and discrimination prevention and education program overseen by such department. The commissioner shall work with such outside entity, to establish and develop an educational program within such department related to the prevention of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia bias and discrimination based on religion, race, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression in grades kindergarten through twelve. Such program shall be further defined by such commissioner in regulation and shall be designed to educate students, parents and school personnel about the prevention of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia bias and discrimination based on religion, race, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Such commissioner, in collaboration with any other stakeholder groups deemed appropriate by such commissioner, shall develop:
a. the anti-Semitism, Islamophobia bias and discrimination prevention and education program prepared by an outside expert organization into age-appropriate model curriculum resources, including exemplar lesson
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14682-08-0
A. 9599--B 2
plans, and best practice instructional resources for students, parents and school personnel designed to prevent anti-Semitism, Islamophobia bias and discrimination based on religion, race, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Such model curriculum, resources, lesson plans and instructional resources shall include but not be limited to guidelines and methods of prevention, indicators and warning signs of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia bias and discrimination based on religion, race, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, guidelines and methods to prevent anti-Semitism, Islamophobia bias and discrimination based on religion, race, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression and how to report complaints of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia bias and discrimination based on religion, race, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Such model curriculum shall be made available to school boards, school superintendents, their equivalents, and teachers for voluntary implementation in social studies classes and in social studies coursework;
b. instructional tools and materials for students, parents and school personnel, which shall include updated information on how to report incidents of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia bias and discrimination based on religion, race, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, with a review of such information to occur periodically, at intervals deemed appropriate by such commissioner; and
c. public availability of all materials related to the anti-Semitism, Islamophobia bias and discrimination prevention and education program on such department's website in Spanish, Creole, Mandarin, Korean, Bengali and any other language predominantly spoken by the population of the state.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized 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.