BILL NUMBER: S6681
SPONSOR: CLEARE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to implementation of
sexual harassment prevention and response policies and procedures by
colleges and universities
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To include sexual harassment among the listed offenses included in
college and university prevention and response policies and procedures.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Amends the article heading of article 129-B of the education law, as
added by chapter 76 of the laws of 2015; amends subdivision 11 of
section 6439 of the education law, as added by chapter 76 of the laws of
2015; amends subdivision 1 of section 6442 of the education law, as
added by chapter 76 of the laws of 2015; amends Subdivision 2 of section
6443 of the education law, as added by chapter 76 of the laws of 2015;
amends paragraph ú of subdivision 1 and paragraphs b and c of subdivi-
sion 5 of section 6444 of the educational law, as added by chapter 76 of
the laws of 2015; amends Paragraphs c and e of subdivision 2 of section
6445 of the education law, as added by chapter 76 of the laws of 2015;
amends Paragraphs a, b, d. and g of subdivision 1 and subdivision 2 of
section 6446 of the education law, as added by chapter 76 of the laws of
2015; amends Subdivision 1, paragraphs b and d of subdivision 2 and
subdivisions 4, 5 and 6 of section 6447 of the education law, as added
by chapter 76 of the laws of 2015; amends the opening paragraph of
subdivision 1 of section 6449 of the education law, as added by chapter
76 of the laws of 2015. D
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Students who attend colleges and universities in New York State should
attend the program of their choice free from unwanted sexual comments,
sexual advances, jokes, or any other behavior that makes them feel
uncomfortable. Currently, under the "enough is enough" legislation of
2015, sexual harassment is not listed under the enumerated offences to
which colleges and universities are required to have a prevention and
response policy. This legislation intends to add sexual harassment to
the offenses of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual
assault. The college and university students of New York State deserve
the added protections necessary to study and work free from sexual
harassment, and require the same prevention and response plans as the
other enumerated offenses in the "enough is enough" legislation of 2015.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
None
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediate

Statutes affected:
S6681: 6439 education law, 6439(11) education law, 6442 education law, 6442(1) education law, 6443 education law, 6443(2) education law, 6449 education law, 6449(1) education law