S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   9846
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                             February 14, 2018
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by M. of A. BARRETT -- read once and referred to the Commit-
   tee on Governmental Operations
 
 AN ACT to establish a task force to explore the effects of  cyber-bully-
   ing in New York state and potential measures to address such effects
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   Section 1. A task force is hereby established to conduct a  comprehen-
 sive  study  on the effects of, and potential methods to address, cyber-
 bullying.  The scope of such study shall include:
   a. processes that school districts can use to develop  a  policy  that
 prohibits cyber-bullying, such as a process that includes representation
 of  parents or guardians, school employees, volunteers, students, admin-
 istrators, or community representatives;
   b. procedures for school districts to implement that  assist  individ-
 uals in reporting an act of cyber-bullying;
   c.  procedures  for school districts to implement to ensure prompt and
 thorough investigations of reports of cyber-bullying;
   d. identifying existing staff that may be  able  to  assist  a  school
 district in responding to an incident of cyber-bullying, such as counse-
 lor services, support services, or intervention services;
   e.  the  potential  use of a statement in a cyber-bullying policy that
 prohibits reprisals or retaliation against any person who reports an act
 of cyber-bullying and the consequence and  appropriate  remedial  action
 for a person who engages in reprisal or retaliation;
   f.  how  often  a  school  district  should conduct a reevaluation and
 review of its cyber-bullying policy;
   g. additional methods school districts can use,  such  as  grants,  to
 fund a program regarding cyber-bullying;
   h.  identifying  the  most  common  victims  of cyber-bullying by age,
 ethnicity, religion, gender, or any other identifying characteristic the
 members of the task force deem relevant;
   i. determining the most common mediums used in cases  of  cyber-bully-
 ing,  including  but not limited to, text messages, websites, and social
 media;
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
              

                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD14297-01-8

 A. 9846                             2
 
   j. identifying the social and psychological effects of  cyber-bullying
 on individuals;
   k.  measures  other states or legislative bodies have taken to address
 cyber-bullying;
   l. drafting model regulations that may be promulgated by this state to
 address cyber-bullying; and
   m. drafting model policies, in conjunction with provisions  stated  in
 this  section,  that  may be implemented by a school district to address
 cyber-bullying.
   § 2. a. The task force shall consist of seven members to be  appointed
 as follows:
   (1) three members appointed by the governor;
   (2)  two  members  appointed by the temporary president of the senate;
 and
   (3) two members appointed by the speaker of the assembly.
   b. The governor shall designate one of the appointees as the chair  of
 the task force.
   c.  The  members  of  the task force shall receive no compensation for
 their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses
 incurred in the performance of their duties pursuant to this act.
   d. All appointments shall be made no later than thirty days after  the
 effective  date  of  this  act.  All  vacancies  shall  be filled by the
 appointing authority.
   § 3. The task force shall report its findings, conclusions, and recom-
 mendations to the governor,  temporary  president  of  the  senate,  and
 speaker  of the assembly within one hundred eighty days after the effec-
 tive date of this act and annually thereafter for  the  following  three
 years.
   § 4. This act shall take effect immediately.