Provides that a person is guilty of harassment in the first degree, a class B misdemeanor, when such person strikes, shoves, kicks or otherwise subjects a school employee to physical contact or attempts or threatens to do the same while such school employee is engaged in the performance of such person's duties as a school employee.
Relates to requiring building condition surveys to be conducted on public school buildings constructed prior to 1950 every other year and a visual inspection in alternate years.
This bill directs revenue from mobile casino gaming activities (including internet-based games accessible via mobile devices) to fund school safety and security programs. It requires that at least $10 million or 1% of such gaming revenue - whichever is greater - be allocated annually for school safety expenses, as determined by the education commissioner. The funds are specifically designated for security-related costs in public schools, not general education spending. The bill amends existing finance law to create this dedicated funding stream for school safety, effective immediately upon enactment.
Establishes the school safety specialist act; establishes a certification and training program for school safety specialists; outlines the roles and duties of school safety specialists.
Establishes the New York state school resource officer program; provides for grants for school resource officers (Part A); relates to peace officers who are retired police officers employed by a school district as a school resource officer (Part B); allows retired police officers to be employed by a school district as a school safety officer, school security officer or any other substantially similar position for an annual salary of $50,000 or less to continue to receive their full retirement benefit (Part C).
Directs the commissioner of education to establish a statewide school safety tip line to permit students and others to report information related to incidents of students causing harm to the physical or mental health of another student or school employee, or a threat of such harm.
Prohibits the use of corporal punishment in schools; defines corporal punishment to include prohibiting the use of aversive interventions and time out rooms.
Authorizes the removal from a teacher's classroom of a violent pupil; establishes that such pupil shall only return to the classroom with the consent of the teacher if the pupil committed an act of violence against a teacher.
Bill A 945, known as "Jacobe's Law," requires school administrators to contact the parents or guardians of students when a verified incident of bullying, harassment, or discrimination has occurred. Designated school employees must first investigate and confirm the incident. Following verification, a school professional will discuss any health, safety, or privacy concerns with the students involved. If no such concerns are expressed, the school will make a good faith effort to contact the parents; if concerns are raised, the professional will use their judgment to determine if parental contact is in the student's best interest. The bill also provides immunity from civil liability for individuals who report such incidents in good faith.
Requires the department of education to report information regarding counselors, social workers and psychologists in schools and to implement a plan to increase the school counselor, school social worker and school psychologist to student ratio to nationally accepted standards and provide funding for such.
