A Watch-dog Organization - Advocating for Bullied Children & Reporting on State Anti Bullying Laws |
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NEW YORK F
New York has been working for an anti bullying law for many years. The bill below was first submitted in 200, then in 2004. The word is that there is something in the works, again, in 2008, possibly following the new Florida law. Call your lawmakers and ask them to think of the kids and stop the bullies in the schools of New York - Until then New York gets an F. SENATE BILL NO. S 1925 - 2003 Add Art 2 SS10 - 18, amd SS801-a & 2801, Ed L Enacts the "Dignity For All Students Act"; (#2 - clearly is an anti bullying law, even thought bullying is not mentioned) authorizes the commissioner of education to establish policies and procedures affording all students in public schools an environment free of harassment and discrimination based on actual or perceived race, national origin, ethnic group, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex; requires reporting harassment and discrimination to such commission; makes exemptions. (#3 - some definitions) TITLE OF BILL : An act to amend the education law, in relation to enacting the dignity for all students act PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL : The purpose of this bill is to afford all persons in public schools an environment free of harassment and discrimination based on actual or perceived race, national origin, ethnic group, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or sex. (#3 - some definitions) SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS : This bill prohibits discrimination and harassment against students, administrators and staff in public schools on the basis of actual or perceived race, national origin, ethnic group, religion, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender, or sex in any activity occurring on school grounds and any activity conducted by the educational institution or its agents. (#3 - some definitions) In accordance with this bill, the Commissioner of Education shall: (#5 - Involves specialists) * Direct school districts to develop procedures (#6) which create a school environment free of discrimination and harassment. * Establish guidelines for the training of school personnel. * Establish guidelines for development of nondiscriminatory instructional and counseling methods and require that at least one member of each school staff be trained to handle human relations in the each of the areas mentioned above. (#10 - Excellent! Provides for Counseling!) * Along with staff, provide advice and direct services consistent with the guidelines set forth here, in order to help districts prevent discrimination and harassment. * Along with the State Education Department, provide grants, from funds appropriated for such purpose, to local school districts to assist them in implementing the guidelines set forth in this section. The Commissioner of Education shall provide direction (#4)to school districts which may include model policies and direct services, as well as promulgate regulations to assist school districts in determining the proper response to violations of the Act, with an emphasis on intervention and education. JUSTIFICATION : All students need a safe, welcoming and affirming environment in school in order to concentrate on their academic and personal growth. They should never have to be preoccupied by the threat or actual occurrence of harassment or discrimination, be it verbal or physical, either from school employees or fellow students. The Dignity for All Students Act promotes civility among students and between students and teachers. It will also help create an atmosphere where learning is paramount and distractions to learning are minimized. Moreover, the Act provides a response to the large numbers of harassed and stigmatized students skipping school and engaging in high-risk behaviors like drug use, alcohol abuse, and perhaps even suicide. No child or teen should ever be pushed to such extremes because of an intolerable environment in his or her school. By prohibiting harassment in public schools and establishing the aforementioned procedures, the "Dignity for All Students Act" takes a major step in creating more nurturing environments in all our schools. PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY : 2000: A.9244a (Sanders) Reported, referred to Ways and Means. 2001: A.2534-A (Sanders) Passed Assembly, referred to Senate Education Committee FISCAL IMPLICATIONS : Minimal. EFFECTIVE DATE :
TITLE OF BILL : An act to amend the education law, in relation to enacting the dignity for all students act PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL : The purpose of this bill is to afford all persons in public
schools an environment free of harassment and discrimination based on actual
or
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS : This bill prohibits discrimination and harassment against students, administrators and staff in public schools on the basis of actual or perceived race, national origin, ethnic group, religion, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender, or sex in any activity occurring on school grounds and any activity conducted by the educational institution or its agents. In accordance with this bill, the Commissioner of Education shall: * Direct school districts to develop procedures which create a school environment free of discrimination and harassment. * Establish guidelines for the training of school personnel. * Establish guidelines for development of nondiscriminatory instructional and counseling methods and require that at least one member of each school staff be trained to handle human relations in the each of the areas mentioned above. * Along with staff, provide advice and direct services consistent with the guidelines set forth here, in order to help districts prevent discrimination and harassment. * Along with the State Education Department, provide grants, from funds appropriated for such purpose, to local school districts to assist them in implementing the guidelines set forth in this section. The Commissioner of Education shall provide direction to school districts which may include model policies and direct services, as well as promulgate regulations to assist school districts in determining the proper response to violations of the Act, with an emphasis on intervention and education. JUSTIFICATION : All students need a safe, welcoming and affirming environment in school in order to concentrate on their academic and personal growth. They should never have to be preoccupied by the threat or actual occurrence of harassment or discrimination, be it verbal or physical, either from school employees or fellow students. The Dignity for All Students Act promotes civility among students and between students and teachers. It will also help create an atmosphere where learning is paramount and distractions to learning are minimized. Moreover, the Act provides a response to the large numbers of harassed and stigmatized students skipping school and engaging in high-risk behaviors like drug use, alcohol abuse, and perhaps even suicide. No child or teen should ever be pushed to such extremes because of an intolerable environment in his or her school. By prohibiting harassment in public schools and establishing the aforementioned procedures, the "Dignity for All Students Act" takes a major step in creating more nurturing environments in all our schools. PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY : 2000: A.9244a (Sanders) Reported, referred to Ways and Means. 2001: A.2534-A (Sanders) Passed Assembly, referred to
Senate Education
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS : Minimal. EFFECTIVE DATE :
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