Bill > A02231

This bill, known as "Jacobe's Law", amends the New York Education Law to require school employees, such as counselors, social workers, and principals, to investigate and verify incidents of harassment, bullying, or discrimination involving students. Once an incident has been verified, the school employee must make a reasonable effort to contact the parents or guardians of the students involved to discuss the incident and ways to address the situation, unless the student expresses a health, safety, or privacy concern, in which case the school employee will use their professional judgment to determine if contacting the parent is in the student's best interest. The bill also provides immunity from civil liability for individuals who, acting reasonably and in good faith, report incidents of harassment, bullying, or discrimination or participate in related proceedings.