Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 2025, as Bullying Prevention Month in the State of New York
This resolution memorializes Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 2025 as Bullying Prevention Month in New York State, in conjunction with National Bullying Prevention Month. It frames bullying as a serious public health, school climate, and youth safety issue, describing both direct forms of bullying, such as threats, hitting, and stealing, and indirect forms, such as rumor-spreading and social exclusion.
The resolution cites statistics and general findings about the prevalence and harms of bullying, including impacts on students who bully, victims, and bystanders. It emphasizes that bullying can be based on race, age, religion, disability, appearance, socioeconomic status, and other characteristics, and urges continued public awareness and a broader culture of kindness and respect.
As a Senate resolution, this measure does not amend the Education Law, Penal Law, or any other statute, and it does not create enforceable rights, duties, or penalties. Its practical effect is ceremonial and expressive: it asks the Governor to issue a proclamation designating October 2025 as Bullying Prevention Month and transmits that message to the executive branch. The resolution may support school anti-bullying awareness efforts, public education campaigns, and community programming, but it does not itself change state policy or funding.
The overall sentiment is strongly supportive and noncontroversial. The resolution presents bullying prevention as an important statewide concern and uses affirmative, moral language about kindness, awareness, and protecting students. Because there is no recorded committee debate or vote history in the provided materials, there is no evidence of opposition or divided sentiment in the available record.
No specific points of contention are identified in the provided materials. The resolution is largely symbolic and broadly framed, so any disagreement would likely be limited to the usual questions that can arise around proclamation resolutions, such as whether the Legislature should focus on symbolic observances versus substantive policy changes. However, no such objections are documented here, and no members, committees, or stakeholders are shown as opposing the measure.