ALBANY, NY (November 8, 2025) — Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the Jack Reid Law: Protect All Students Act on Friday, extending anti-bullying requirements to New York’s private schools in honor of the International Day Against Violence and Bullying at School.
“I am very pleased that Governor Hochul has now signed the ‘Jack Reid: Protect All Students Act,’ which will require that nonpublic schools adopt an anti-bullying policy, require employees to report all bullying and harassment incidents to the principal or head of school, and require the head of schools to investigate and respond to reports of harassment or bullying,” said State Sen. Shelley B. Mayer.
The new law requires nonpublic schools to prohibit bullying or harassment at school, online or during school functions, adopt a clearly defined anti-bullying policy available to parents, students and staff, and establish clear reporting and investigation procedures.
Hochul signed the legislation alongside the Reid family and bill sponsors Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Michaelle Solages.
“The Jack Reid Law protects kids from the harmful impacts bullying can have on their lives,” Hochul said. “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.”
The law honors Jack Reid, a 17-year-old who died by suicide in 2022 after experiencing bullying for a year at his boarding school.
Elizabeth and Bill Reid, parents of Jack Reid, said, “We are deeply grateful to Governor Hochul, Senator Hoylman-Sigal, and Assemblywoman Solages, and the co-sponsors, for their dedication and leadership to protecting all students in New York. After we lost our son Jack, we made a promise to honor his life by protecting others from the pain he endured. The passage of the Jack Reid Law in New York is a crucial step forward, but it is not the finish line – we look forward to building on this progress and advancing similar protections across the country.”
Hoylman-Sigal said the state’s Dignity for All Students Act had covered only public schools for the last 15 years, leaving 420,000 nonpublic school students unprotected.
State Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris said, “Bullying has no place in any educational environment. I want to thank Governor Hochul for signing this important legislation and ensuring that students and families know their schools are safe from harassment.”
Governor Signs Legislation Accompanied by the Reid Family and Bill Sponsors Watch Here
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.
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