NY A05318

Expands anti-harassment and anti-bullying protections to include online harassment on the internet, requiring schools to take prompt action to end harassment and eliminate hostile environments.

Establishes new Article 2-A requiring public and private schools serving grades 7-12 to adopt suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention policies by August 1, 2024, with specific attention to high-risk groups including LGBTQ youth, youth with disabilities, and youth experiencing homelessness.

Requires school districts to develop partnerships with community mental health organizations and adopt protocols addressing parental notification, crisis response, and culturally competent support for suicide survivors.

Mandates teacher training on suicide warning signs and referral procedures, and updates teacher certification requirements to include five hours of professional development on media literacy and five hours on dignity for all students and suicide prevention.

Appropriates $15 million to the Department of Education: $5 million for dignity/suicide prevention training and policies, $5 million for media literacy standards and professional development, and $5 million for related teacher trainings and curriculum development.