Assembly Member O'Donnell Announces Dignity for All Students Act Amendment, A07738, to Include Private and Denominational Schools
New York, NY, May 30, 2017 - Assembly Member O'Donnell announced the introduction of A07738, an amendment to his landmark anti-bullying bill, the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA). DASA was created with the cooperation of the Dignity Task Force to develop guidelines that are consistent with this legislative intent: to combat bullying by fostering inclusive cultures in schools. This amendment will expand the implementation of those protections to private and denominational schools.
Assembly Member O'Donnell said, "While the Dignity for All Students Act was a landmark piece of legislation, it was meant to be a living document, subject to updates that ensure protections against discrimination and bullying evolve, just as the origin of discrimination and abuse changes with time. Since its passage, it has been updated to protect students in charter schools and to include cyberbullying. Now we are making another essential update- to make sure all students are taught in safe and inclusive environments, regardless of the type of school they attend." O'Donnell continued, "I look forward to the passage of this amendment expanding protections to every student in the state."
The bill's New York State Senate sponsor, Senator Brad Hoylman said: "At a time when the Trump administration is working to weaken Title IX protections for trans kids, New York needs to double down on its efforts to ensure schools are safe havens from harassment, bullying and discrimination. For years, the Dignity for All Students Act has provided important protections for public school students across the state, and with this legislation we'll ensure that DASA truly applies to all students. I thank Assembly Member O'Donnell for his leadership on this important issue, and I'm proud to join the effort to make our schools safe and supportive environments."
In 2016, Daniel Fitzpatrick, a private school student from Staten Island, fell victim to bullying from classmates and took his own life. Unfortunately, DASA does not apply to his private school. His family has been lobbying for the expansion of DASA to cover all schools in the state and provided the following statement:
"We are mandated as parents to educate our children according to state law. Homeschooling is not an option for every family. Every child has the right to attend their school of choice without harm or fear and be provided with a safe environment that fosters learning and self esteem. There is no excuse for any shades of bullying or any form of prejudice. This Amendment to the DASA law would now protect all students and help support school administrations with a protocol to follow. Danny might be alive today if this law had included all students the way it was originally intended. I know we can all agree that a law written to protect all students should actually include all students. This is all we are asking."
Daniel O'Donnell, the first openly gay man elected to the New York State Assembly, has been a progressive voice advocating for fair and sensible legislation since he was elected to represent the 69th District in 2002. He is known as a leader of LGBT rights, including authoring and sponsoring of New York State's Marriage Equality Law, which was signed into law in 2011, and the Dignity for All Students Act, which was the first time trans rights were written into New York state law. His district includes Manhattan Valley, Morningside Heights, and the Upper West Side. He serves as the Chair of the Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development Committee, and of the Codes Subcommittee on Criminal Procedure; and is a member of the Education; Codes; Environmental Conservation; and Tourism, Arts & Sports Development committees.
