Bill > A4796

This bill amends the definition of "harassment, intimidation, or bullying" within New Jersey's Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act to broaden the scope of protected characteristics. Previously, the law listed specific characteristics like race, color, religion, and gender as motivations for such behavior, but this bill inserts language that clarifies these are examples and not an exhaustive list, explicitly including "gender identity and expression" and "any other distinguishing characteristic." This change aims to ensure that bullying based on any perceived or actual characteristic, not just those previously enumerated, is covered by the act, which defines harassment, intimidation, or bullying as actions that physically or emotionally harm a student, damage property, or create a hostile educational environment.