Download Fact Sheet (pdf)
On July 9, 2012, Chapter 102 of the Laws of 2012, was enacted amending the existing Dignity for All Students Act. The amendment expands the scope and intent of the Dignity Act to include provisions on bullying and cyber-bullying and to make the Dignity Act applicable to certain instances of conduct occurring off school property. This Fact Sheet provides information on new Regulations of the Commissioner of Education regarding amendment to the Dignity for All Students Act, effective July 1, 2013. The provisions of the Dignity Act, effective July 1, 2012, remain in effect.
Acts of harassment and bullying include, but are not be limited to, those acts based on a person’s actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or sex. Chapter 102 of the Laws of 2012 adds definitions of bullying or harassment through any form of electronic communication which:
- Has or would have the effect of unreasonably and substantially interfering with a student’s educational performance, opportunities or benefits, or mental, emotional or physical well-being;
- Reasonably causes or would reasonably be expected to cause a student to fear for his or her physical safety;
- Reasonably causes or would reasonably be expected to cause physical injury or emotional harm to a student; and
- Occurs off school property and creates or would foreseeably create a risk of substantial disruption within the school environment, where it is foreseeable that the conduct, threats, intimidation, or abuse might reach school property.
Download Fact Sheet (pdf)