NY A11235

Establishes the "anti-bullying act" to prohibit severe or repeated bullying (written, verbal, electronic, or physical) directed at students in public schools and publicly funded special education programs that causes physical injury, emotional harm, fear, hostile environment, or educational disruption.

Requires school employees with reasonable cause to suspect bullying to report incidents to the principal or designee, who must then report to the superintendent if reasonable cause is determined; provides civil liability immunity for good faith reporters.

Mandates that bullying be addressed in character education curricula (grades K-12) with emphasis on discouraging such acts, and requires schools to distribute age-appropriate descriptions of anti-bullying policies annually to employees, students, and parents.

Creates a new Class B misdemeanor offense of "aggravated harassment of teachers and school personnel" for striking, shoving, or kicking school staff with intent to harass, annoy, or alarm them while engaged in employment on school property.

Takes effect September 1 following enactment; does not apply to private, religious, or denominational schools and does not limit other existing legal remedies or causes of action.