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Gov. Paterson Signs Antibullying Bill


DAVID PATERSON X390 200907 (GETTY) | ADVOCATE.COM

Students in New York State who are bullied in schools will have a little more protection after Gov. David Paterson signed the Dignity for All Students Act into law Wednesday.

"Every student has the right to a safe and civil educational environment, but far too often young people are ruthlessly targeted by bullies," Paterson said in a statement. "Bullying and harassment have disrupted the education of too many young people, and we in government have a responsibility to do our part to create learning environments that help our children prosper."

The law would require school districts to designate at least one staff member per school to be trained in nondiscriminatory instructional and counseling methods, to properly train school employees to certain sensitivities among students, and to make sure each school's code of conduct ensures a harassment- and discrimination-free environment.

The law bans harassment and discrimination under several different classifications, including, but not limited to, the student's actual or perceived "race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex."

The Dignity for All Students Act will fully take effect starting July 1, 2012, but some rules and regulations may be instituted earlier.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Ben
    Date posted: 9/8/2010 8:30:11 PM
    Hometown: NY

    Comment:

    This bill is great. Hate crimes are on the rise in New York. Our state education system has been churning out a whole new generation of homophobes. This shit needs to stop.

  • Name: Jeffrey
    Date posted: 9/8/2010 3:44:19 PM
    Hometown: Hallenbeck

    Comment:

    I am a big fan of Governor Patterson. He has consistently been there for the gay community unlike any of our political "allies" in Washington. Unfortunately he inherited a nightmare a state economy on the verge of collapse and a state legislature whose corruption would make Boss Tweed blush.

  • Name: Jessica
    Date posted: 9/8/2010 3:37:01 PM
    Hometown: NJ

    Comment:

    Que the ridiculesright saying that keeping kids, any kids, from being beaten up in school is all about the gay agenda in 1, 2. 3 ...

  • Name: Kenny
    Date posted: 9/8/2010 3:14:50 PM
    Hometown: Anderson

    Comment:

    I love Governor Patterson he truly shows and proves he cares about the gay community.I hope one day they can find a cure for his blindness and every other individual like him who can't see the beauty of this world once you look past all the negativity and hatred.



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