Governor Hochul Signs Stavisky/Rosenthal Legislation to Improve the Reporting of Hate Crimes on College Campuses

NEW YORK- Today, while announcing $51 million in funding to combat hatred and bigotry across the state, Governor Hochul signed legislation (S.2060-A/A.3694-A), sponsored by Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (D- Queens) and Assemblymember Daniel Rosenthal (D- Queens), that will strengthen investigation and reporting requirements for hate crimes incidents occurring on college campuses.

“This new law will help identify and quantify hate on college campuses and allow us to better address the issue,” says Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee. “By clearly identifying how these incidents will be reported and tracked, students will now have access to resources for the campuses they call home. College is an opportunity for young people to learn about other cultures and customs. We must counter hate with education and teach a new generation that we accomplish much more together than we do apart.”

This legislation will require colleges that receive state funding to modernize and enhance their disclosure of hate crimes that occur on campus. To ensure students remain safe on college campuses in New York, the bill also creates a clear obligation on the part of colleges to investigate potential hates crimes and report them to law enforcement. This bill would also strengthen existing reporting and information disclosure laws pertaining to identifying and addressing bias crimes on college campuses.

Assemblymember Daniel Rosenthal said, “Every student has the right to feel safe and protected on their college campus. We cannot allow educational institutions to become asylums of antisemitism, bigotry and hostility. This bill will allow the public to realize if any individual institution has a particular problem — and whether its administration is taking proper steps to address it. I am deeply appreciative to Governor Hochul for signing this bill into law."

Governor Kathy Hochul said, “Hate has absolutely no place in our state, and we will continue to do whatever it takes to make sure every New Yorker is safe from baseless violence that stems from prejudice. This is a historic investment in the communities that need our help the most, and with these funds, New York’s most at-risk organizations will be able to invest in the security measures they need to stay safe. In the face of disgusting vitriol and violence, I want to be clear: we are not afraid. If you attack one of us, you attack us all — and no one wins a fight against New Yorkers.”