New Law Aims To Protect Students From Bullying And Harassment

The first Thursday of November is designated International Day against Violence and Bullying at School, including Cyberbullying.  UNESCO describes this day as recognizing that school-related violence in all its forms is an infringement of children’s and adolescents’ rights to education and their health and well-being.

In recognition of the day on November 6, 2025, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Jack Reid Law: Protect All Students Act.

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According to the announcement from Governor Hochul, the bill is designed to protect students attending private schools from bullying, discrimination, or harassment when at school, online, or at a school event, and requires private schools to strengthen or develop clear anti-bullying policies and reporting procedures.

Jack Reid was a high school student who died in 2022 by suicide 2022. He had been experiencing bullying for a year at his boarding school.

The Jack Reid Law protects kids from the harmful impacts bullying can have on their lives. 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. - New York State Governor Kathy Hochul

New York State Schools are required to implement a commonsense approach to address bullying among students. Governor Hochul notes that some of the approaches include:

• 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.

New York State is one of the first in the nation to require statewide, bell-to-bell restrictions on smartphones in K-12 schools.

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