Bill
Bill > A08064
NY A08064
NY A08064Enacts 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
04/22/2025
In Committee
01/07/2026
01/07/2026
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 the free speech rights of student journalists in public high schools by establishing clear guidelines for school-sponsored media. The bill defines key terms such as "school-sponsored media" and "student journalist" and provides that students 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 the law, or could incite students to commit unlawful acts or substantially disrupt school operations. The legislation also shields student media advisors from retaliation for protecting student speech and ensures that school administrators are not liable for student expressions unless there is willful misconduct. Additionally, the bill clarifies that political expression by students in school media does not constitute the use of public funds for political purposes, and it allows students to seek injunctive relief if their speech is improperly censored. The law aims to protect student journalists' First Amendment rights while maintaining reasonable boundaries for appropriate school communication.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (58)
Vivian Cook (D)*,
Jodi Giglio (R)*,
Donna Lupardo (D)*,
Phil Ramos (D)*,
Joe Angelino (R),
Anil Beephan Jr. (R),
Scott Bendett (R),
Ken Blankenbush (R),
Harry Bronson (D),
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),
Josh Jensen (R),
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 01/07/2026)
Official Document
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