Albany - Governor David A. Paterson signed into law the Dignity for All Students Act, which will help ensure that school administrators and educators have the tools and resources in place to afford all students - and particularly those who are targeted by bullies - an educational environment in which they can thrive.

"Every student has the right to a safe and civil educational environment, but far too often young people are ruthlessly targeted by bullies," Governor Paterson said. "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. I am proud to sign this bill into law as it will help ensure that students are protected from harassment, discrimination and bullying at school grounds and at school functions."

To help provide a safe and civil educational environment, the Dignity for All Students Act requires school districts to:

 • Revise their codes of conduct and adopt policies intended to create a school environment free from harassment and discrimination.

 • Adopt guidelines to be used in school training programs to raise awareness and sensitivity of school employees to these issues and to enable them to respond appropriately.

 • Designate at least one staff member in each school to be trained in non-discriminatory instructional and counseling methods and handling human relations.

The bill explicitly defines "harassment" in terms of creating a hostile environment that unreasonably and substantially interferes with a student's educational performance, opportunities or benefits, or mental, emotional or physical well-being, or conduct, verbal threats, intimidation or abuse that reasonably causes or would reasonably be expected to cause a student to fear for his or her physical safety. The bill explicitly prohibits harassment and discrimination of students with respect to certain non-exclusive protected classes, 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."

This law takes effect on July 1, 2012, although rules and regulations necessary to implement the bill on that day may be promulgated before that date.