New state law requires private schools to protect against bullying

"The law aims to build on the Dignity for all Students Act, which took effect in 2012 and is designed to provide public elementary and secondary school students with a safe and supportive environment without discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment, and bullying on school property, a school bus, and/or at a school function, according to the New York State Education Department."

"The new legislation largely replicates the scope of the Dignity for all Students Act for non-public schools, though there is at least one difference: The Dignity for All Students Act requires public schools to come up with policies and procedures to prevent bullying, harassment, and discrimination, while the new law only requires schools to create policies pertaining to bullying and harassment - not discrimination."

A newly signed New York State law extends anti-bullying protections to non-public (private) schools and requires those schools to investigate reported incidents and establish clear enforcement policies. The law, named the Jack Reid Law after a student who died by suicide following bullying over false allegations, was signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Nov. 7 to coincide with the International Day Against Violence and Bullying at School. The law builds on the 2012 Dignity for All Students Act by largely replicating its scope for non-public schools, but it does not require non-public schools to adopt discrimination-prevention policies. State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Michaelle Solages carried the bill.

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