S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
                                  1225
                       2015-2016 Regular Sessions
                          I N  A S S E M B L Y
                             January 8, 2015
                               ___________
Introduced  by M. of A. SOLAGES -- read once and referred to the Commit-
  tee on Education
AN ACT to amend  the  education  law,  in  relation  to  making  certain
  provisions  applicable  to  public  schools relating to instruction in
  civility, citizenship and character education
  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 FOR COURSES OF INSTRUCTION IN  PUBLIC  SCHOOLS,
"tolerance,"  "respect for others" and "dignity" shall include awareness
and sensitivity to harassment, bullying, discrimination and civility  in
the  relations  of people of different races, weights, national origins,
ethnic groups, religions, religious practices, mental or physical abili-
ties, sexual orientations, genders, and sexes.
  S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD06459-01-5