S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  10035

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                              June 10, 2014
                               ___________

Introduced  by  COMMITTEE ON RULES -- (at request of M. of A. Hikind) --
  read once and referred to the Committee on Education

AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to instruction in  public
  schools relating to civility, citizenship and character

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. Section 801-a of the education law, as amended  by  chapter
102 of the laws of 2012, is amended to read as follows:
  S 801-a. Instruction in civility, citizenship and character education.
The  regents  shall  ensure  that  the  course  of instruction in grades
kindergarten through twelve includes a component on  civility,  citizen-
ship  and character education. Such component shall instruct students on
the principles of honesty, tolerance, personal  responsibility,  respect
for  others, with an emphasis on discouraging acts of harassment, bully-
ing, discrimination, observance of laws and rules, courtesy, dignity and
other traits which will enhance the quality of their experiences in, and
contributions to, the community. Such component shall  include  instruc-
tion  of  safe,  responsible use of the internet and electronic communi-
cations. The regents shall determine how to incorporate  such  component
in  existing  curricula  and the commissioner shall promulgate any regu-
lations needed to carry out such determination of the regents.  For  the
purposes  of this section, "tolerance," "respect for others" and "digni-
ty" shall include awareness and  sensitivity  to  harassment,  bullying,
discrimination  and  civility  [in the relations of] WITH AN EMPHASIS ON
DISCOURAGING ACTS OF BULLYING AND WITH OUT REGARD TO THE  REASONING  FOR
THEIR  BEING  BULLIED, TOWARD ALL STUDENTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
people of different races, weights,  national  origins,  ethnic  groups,
religions,  religious  practices,  mental  or physical abilities, sexual
orientations, genders, and sexes. ANY STUDENT, PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN,
EXPRESSING A MORAL OR RELIGIOUS OBJECTION TO THIS COURSE OF  INSTRUCTION
IN  THIS  SECTION,  SHALL  BE  PROVIDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERTAKE AND
COMPLETE AN ALTERNATIVE PROJECT THAT SHALL BE APPROVED BY SUCH STUDENT'S
TEACHER.  STUDENTS WHO PERFORM ALTERNATIVE PROJECTS WHO  DO  NOT  ATTEND
THIS  COURSE  OF INSTRUCTION SHALL NOT BE PENALIZED. THE BOARD OF EDUCA-

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
              

                                                           LBD15370-01-4

A. 10035                            2

TION OR TRUSTEES OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL DEVELOP  A  POLICY  TO  GIVE
REASONABLE  NOTICE  TO  ALL STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THIS COURSE OF INSTRUC-
TION, AND STUDENTS' PARENTS OR LEGAL GUARDIANS ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS.  SUCH
NOTICE  SHALL  BE MADE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST AT THE SCHOOL AND DISTRIB-
UTED TO ALL PARENTS AND STUDENTS. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL APPLY TO
PRIVATE, CHARTER, RELIGIOUS OR DENOMINATIONAL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
  S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.