“Technology and social networking have made it possible for students to remain connected beyond the classroom,” said Zebrowski. “Unfortunately, this increased connectivity can be facilitating cyberbullying and causing students that Bully Assemblies NY are bullied at school to be put through similar harassment at home. The constant deluge can result in low confidence, falling grades, behavioral problems and, using tragic cases, suicide."

The Assembly's legislation will require all school staff to report any incident of bullying or cyberbullying to the institution principal or superintendent within one school day of the occurrence and submit a written report of the incident within three school days. Parents and students may also be able submit reports when they become aware of bullying and the principal or superintendent is going to be necessary to investigate all reports. Police force must be contacted if any incident includes suspected criminal activity.

Schools is likewise required to ascertain official guidelines for balanced and age-appropriate responses to harassment, bullying or discrimination, with detailed remedies and procedures. Members of the college community, including staff, parents and students, will be given a copy of the policy annually, including instructions on how parents and students can report bullying to school administration.

“Cyberbullying has changed into a dangerous trend and this legislation gives parents and students the various tools needed seriously to overcome it,” said Zebrowski. “Standardized policies and procedures will guide teachers and school staff so they are better equipped to respond to harassment and bullying within the classroom and beyond.”

The legislation also includes guidelines for numerous training programs. New applicants for any classroom teacher, school counselor, school psychologist, school social worker, school administrator or supervisor or superintendent of schools is likely to be required to complete training on the social patterns of harassment, bullying and discrimination.

Bully Assemblies NY State, nearly 16 percent of all students and nearly 21 percent of girls are subject to cyberbullying through texting, social networking websites, email, instant messaging and other electronic means every year. Up to 28 percent of most students in the United States experience some kind of bullying.