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Bill > A08064

NY A08064

NY A08064
Enacts the student journalist education act to protect student speech at educational institutions unless such speech is libelous, an invasion of privacy, or incites students to commit an unlawful act, violate school policies, or to materially and substantially disrupt the orderly operation of the school.

summary

Introduced
04/22/2025
In Committee
04/22/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 General Assembly

Bill Summary

AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to enacting the student journalism education act

AI Summary

This bill enacts the Student Journalism Education Act, which protects student journalists' free speech rights in public high schools by establishing clear guidelines for school-sponsored media. The bill defines key terms such as "school-sponsored media" (student-produced materials distributed to the student body) and "student journalist" (a student who creates content for school media). Under the act, student journalists have the right to determine the content of their publications without prior restraint, except in specific circumstances. These exceptions include speech that is libelous, an invasion of privacy, violates laws, or could incite students to commit unlawful acts or disrupt school operations. The bill also protects student media advisors from retaliation for supporting student expression and clarifies that student political expression does not constitute the use of public funds for political purposes. Additionally, the legislation ensures that educational institutions are not liable for student-produced content unless there is willful misconduct, and it emphasizes that student expression does not represent the official position of the school. The act aims to promote student free speech and journalistic development while maintaining reasonable boundaries for appropriate school communication.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (55)

Vivian Cook (D)*,  Jodi Giglio (R)*,  Donna Lupardo (D)*,  Phil Ramos (D)*,  Joe Angelino (R),  Anil Beephan Jr. (R),  Ken Blankenbush (R),  Alec Brook-Krasny (R),  Sarah Clark (D),  William Colton (D),  Joe DeStefano (R),  Dave DiPietro (R),  Michael Durso (R),  Harvey Epstein (D),  Jeff Gallahan (R),  Jarett Gandolfo (R),  Deborah Glick (D),  Jessica González-Rojas (D),  Steve Hawley (R),  Andrew Hevesi (D),  Pamela Hunter (D),  Charles Lavine (D),  Dana Levenberg (D),  Jen Lunsford (D),  Bill Magnarelli (D),  Zohran Mamdani (D),  John McDonald (D),  Dave McDonough (R),  Karen McMahon (D),  John Mikulin (R),  Brian Miller (R),  Marcela Mitaynes (D),  Daniel Norber (R),  Misha Novakhov (R),  Steve Otis (D),  Phil Palmesano (R),  Amy Paulin (D),  Sam Pirozzolo (R),  Ed Ra (R),  Steven Raga (D),  Karines Reyes (D),  Linda Rosenthal (D),  Nily Rozic (D),  Rebecca Seawright (D),  Joseph Sempolinski (R),  Amanda Septimo (D),  Maryjane Shimsky (D),  Sarahana Shrestha (D),  Jo Anne Simon (D),  Tony Simone (D),  Phara Souffrant Forrest (D),  Phil Steck (D),  Al Stirpe (D),  Al Taylor (D),  Mary Beth Walsh (R), 

Last Action

referred to education (on 04/22/2025)

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