New York – A group of New York legislators today announced a new package of legislation to protect students from harassment and discrimination on college campuses. Assemblymember Micah Lasher, Assemblymember Nily Rozic, Senator Leroy Comrie, and Senator Toby Ann Stavisky proposed the legislation in response to rising rates of antisemitism at college campuses, although the bills are aimed at preventing and responding to harassment and discrimination of all students. The legislation is supported by the UJA-Federation, Anti-Defamation League and StandWithUs.

The first bill, the Assuring College Campus and Educational Safety and Support (ACCESS) Act, sponsored by Senator Comrie and Assemblymember Lasher, requires colleges and universities to take specific, proactive steps to prevent and respond to harassment based on student identity. Specifically, the bill requires schools to: establish rules that prohibit discriminatory harassment and penalties for violating them; maintain mechanisms for reporting, investigation, and adjudication of violations; clearly communicate and consistently administer the rules and penalties; and take reasonable steps to prevent unaffiliated individuals who engage in discriminatory harassment from being on campus.

The ACCESS Act would also make it easier for the New York State Division of Human Rights, the State Attorney General, or individual students to take legal action under the New York State Human Rights Law against an educational institution that has permitted discriminatory harassment. The legal standard for such claims under the bill would be aligned with the standard afforded to employees in the workplace, which was enacted by the legislature in 2019.

The second bill in the package, sponsored by Senator Stavisky and Assemblymember Rozic, would ensure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by requiring a dedicated Title VI Coordinator at every college and university across New York State. The addition of this role on all college campuses would better promote equal access to education and services for students – regardless of race, color, or national origin.

“Every student deserves to feel safe and secure on campus, but for far too many, that is not the reality today,” said Assemblymember Micah Lasher. “The ACCESS Act is intended to push colleges and universities to be more proactive in preventing and responding to incidents of harassment and discrimination – not just antisemitism, which we have seen more and more since the horrific attacks of October 7th, but hate and bias of all kinds. The State of New York must use every tool at its disposal to protect our kids, and that’s what we are doing with this legislation.”

Assemblywoman Nily Rozic said: “In the face of rising discrimination and harassment on college campuses, we must take decisive action to protect students of all backgrounds. By ensuring every New York college and university has a dedicated Title VI Coordinator, we are reinforcing the fundamental right to an education free from bias and intimidation and that allows students to be students. This legislation is about strengthening protections, ensuring accountability, and fostering a safer, more inclusive learning environment for all students.”

“Every student deserves to learn in an environment free from harassment, discrimination, and fear. The ACCESS Act strengthens protections for students by holding educational institutions accountable for ensuring a safe and inclusive atmosphere for all. By aligning the legal standards for campus harassment with those in the workplace, we are making it clear that discrimination has no place in higher education. I am proud to sponsor this legislation alongside Assemblyman Lasher and Senator Stavisky to safeguard the rights and well-being of all students in New York,” said Senator Leroy Comrie.

“By requiring colleges to have a Title VI Coordinator, we will ensure that there is someone in charge. The college will be able to evaluate the problem and respond appropriately. A student has a right to feel safe, free from acts of discrimination,” said Senator Toby Ann Stavisky.

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education, 118 hate crimes were reported at colleges and universities in New York in 2022. In particular, Jewish students have experienced a dramatic increase in incidents of antisemitism since the terrorist attack by Hamas against Israel on October 7, 2023, incidents that are acute to students studying in New York. In a 2023 study conducted by Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies, three of twelve institutions of higher education identified as having the nation’s highest levels of antisemitic hostility are located in the state.

Likewise, a 2023 report by the Lumina Foundation found that more than one-fifth of Black students at colleges and universities felt “frequently” or “occasionally” discriminated against, and that more than a quarter of Black students who attended schools with little diversity felt physically unsafe.

“UJA-Federation of New York thanks Assemblymembers Lasher and Rozic and Senators Comrie and Stavisky for their commitment to ensuring college students are protected from hateful actions, harassment or bias. These complementary bills will create a safer and more welcoming environment for Jewish students.” said Eric S. Goldstein, CEO, UJA-Federation

“ADL New York/New Jersey welcomes these efforts to protect college and university students from harassment. We have seen an alarming number of antisemitic incidents on college campuses, and it is critical that we have appropriate measures in place to ensure that no student feels unsafe due to their identity. We are grateful for the sponsors’ leadership on this important issue,” said Scott Richman, Regional Director of New York and New Jersey at the Anti-Defamation League.

“StandWithUs thanks Assembly Members Lasher and Rozic and Senators Comrie and Stavisky for their sponsorship of the ACCESS Act and a bill requiring a Title VI Coordinator for all college campuses in New York State. These bills will better protect Jewish and pro-Israel students on college campuses. We have seen the horrific number of antisemitic incidents on college campuses grow and these pieces of legislation will help strengthen protections under NYS Human Rights Law as well as help ensure that antisemitism is properly identified and dealt with,” said Avi Posnick, Executive Director of StandWithUs Northeast & New England.