NY S01253

Defines "bullying" as severe or repeated written, verbal, electronic, or physical conduct by students or school employees directed at a student that causes physical/emotional harm, creates reasonable fear, establishes a hostile environment, or materially disrupts education.

Prohibits students and school employees from subjecting any student in public schools or publicly funded special education programs to bullying, with violators subject to disciplinary action per district code of conduct.

Requires school employees with reasonable cause to suspect bullying to report incidents to the principal or designee, with immunity from civil liability for good faith reports; principals must report confirmed incidents to the superintendent.

Creates new Class B misdemeanor crime of aggravated harassment of teachers and school personnel for striking, shoving, or kicking school staff members on school property with intent to harass, annoy, or alarm them.

Mandates inclusion of anti-bullying emphasis in civility and character education curricula (kindergarten through grade 12) and requires annual distribution of plain-language bullying policies to students, employees, and parents; takes effect September 1 following enactment.