This bill was a possibility in 2003 and 2004 but it's dead again. 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.
NEW YORK
SENATE BILL NO. S 1925 - 2003Add 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 :
90 days following enactment. (#7 - "Homework is due")
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Add Art 2 SS10 - 18, amd SS801-a & 2801, Ed L
Enacts the "Dignity For All Students Act"; 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.A01118 Actions:
01/14/2003 referred to education
03/18/2003 reported referred to codes
03/25/2003 reported referred to ways and means
05/20/2003 reported referred to rules
05/27/2003 rules report cal.112
05/27/2003 ordered to third reading rules cal.112
06/09/2003 passed assembly
06/09/2003 delivered to senate
06/09/2003 REFERRED TO RULES
01/07/2004 DIED IN SENATE
01/07/2004 RETURNED TO ASSEMBLY
01/07/2004 committed to rules
01/20/2004 rules report cal.55
01/20/2004 ordered to third reading rules cal.55
01/26/2004 starred on calendar
03/03/2004 star removed
03/08/2004 passed assembly
03/08/2004 delivered to senate
03/08/2004 REFERRED TO EDUCATIONA01118 Memo:
TITLE OF BILL : An act to amend the education law, in relation to enacting the dignity for all students actPURPOSE 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.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
CommitteeFISCAL IMPLICATIONS :
Minimal.
EFFECTIVE DATE :
90 days following enactment.