Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law a bill that requires private schools to protect students from being bullied.
On November 7, Hochul signed the Jack Reid Law: Protect All Students Act, in recognition of the International Day Against Violence and Bullying at School. This bill aims to protect students attending private schools from bullying, discrimination or harassment when at school, online or at a school event. It also requires private schools to strengthen or develop clear anti-bullying policies and reporting procedures.
The law honors the memory of Jack Reid, a 17-year-old student who tragically died by suicide in 2022 after experiencing bullying for a year at the boarding school he attended.
“The Jack Reid Law protects kids from the harmful impacts bullying can have on their lives,” Hochul said. “Every student deserves to feel safe when they’re learning, online with fellow students or enjoying school events off campus, no matter what school they’re enrolled in. As New York’s first Mom-Governor, I will always stand up for the safety and well-being of our children and do everything in my power to make sure no family endures the kind of heartbreak that inspired this law.”
Elizabeth and Bill Reid, Jack’s parents, said, “After we lost our son Jack, we made a promise to honor his life by protecting others from the pain he endured. The passage of the Jack Reid Law in New York is a crucial step forward, but it is not the finish line — we look forward to building on this progress and advancing similar protections across the country. All children deserve to live in a world where their well-being and happiness are not compromised by the cruelty of bullying.”
With this law, all schools in New York State, now including nonpublic schools, are required to have strong policies and procedures in place that teachers and school staff are trained to properly implement when bullying is reported. The law requires schools to implement a commonsense approach to address bullying among students, including:
- prohibiting bullying or harassment that occurs at school, online, or during a school function whether on or off campus
- adopting a clearly defined anti-bullying and harassment policy available to parents, students, and school staff
- establishing clear reporting and investigation obligations
State Senator Monica R. Martinez (D-Brentwood) said, “A child cannot focus on education when they are constantly worrying about being targeted. As a teacher and school administrator, I know children are born with a love for learning, but bullying and harassment can take that away and replace it with anxiety and fear of school, other students, and social settings.”
“The Jack Reid Bill is a vital step toward ensuring that every student feels safe, supported, and protected within their learning environment,” Assemblymember Michaelle Solages (D-Valley Stream) added. “This legislation strengthens our schools’ ability to respond effectively to bullying and guarantees that no student suffers in silence.”