Enacts the "Jack Reid Law: Protect All Students Act"

Bullying protections for New York nonpublic students

Effective immediately upon enactment, the law protects students in New York nonpublic elementary and secondary schools from student bullying and harassment. It bans this conduct, including online bullying, on school grounds, school buses, and at school-sponsored activities. Covered conduct includes serious interference with learning or well-being, reasonable fear for physical safety, and physical injury or emotional harm. Some off-campus conduct is covered when it creates a foreseeable risk of major school disruption and might reach school property. Schools must adopt plain-language, age-appropriate policies explaining definitions, reporting, investigations, records, and how affected students learn the final outcome. Schools must post these policies on their website or internal portal and share them annually with employees, parents, and students. Employees who witness bullying or receive a report must notify the principal, school head, or designee orally within one school day. They must submit a written report within two school days after that oral notice. School leaders must promptly investigate reports of bullying, harassment, or retaliation and tell the affected student their findings. They must act immediately, follow up to stop the conduct, keep students safe, and protect good-faith reporters and helpers from retaliation. The law preserves protected free expression and religious rights.