Updates the definition of cyberbullying in the dignity for all students act

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Pat Fahy and 1 co-sponsor

Expands cyberbullying to include electronic harassment and specifically prohibits using artificial intelligence to mimic or alter a person’s likeness or voice without consent.

DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY

Summary of Bill S 10049 (2025-2026, New York)

Purpose and intent

The bill amends the Education Law to update the definition of “cyberbullying” as it applies to the Dignity for All Students Act.

The change clarifies that cyberbullying includes harassment or bullying conducted through electronic communication and expands the scope to include new technology-related behavior, specifically the use of artificial intelligence to mimic or alter a person’s likeness or voice without consent.

Key provisions and changes

Updated definition: Section 11, subdivision 8, is amended to redefine “cyberbullying.” The new language:

Continues to base cyberbullying on the existing framework for harassment or bullying defined in subdivision 7.
Specifies that cyberbullying occurs through any form of electronic communication.
Adds an explicit prohibition: intentionally using artificial intelligence to mimic or alter a person’s likeness or voice without that person’s consent.

Scope inclusion: The added clause ensures AI-generated likeness/voice manipulation falls squarely within prohibited cyberbullying behavior when done without consent.

Effective date: The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Who/what is affected

Students and school communities: Schools and districts must address cyberbullying under the Dignity for All Students Act, now including AI-facilitated impersonation or voice alteration.

Policy and enforcement: School administrators, educators, and counselors rely on the updated definition to identify, respond to, and remediate cyberbullying incidents involving electronic communications and AI-enabled misconduct.

Legal/educational framework: The update reinforces the state’s anti-bullying standards with a technology-forward provision, aligning with evolving digital and AI capabilities.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and committee: Introduced by Sen. Jackson; referred to the Senate Education Committee with a co-sponsor.

Action history:

2026-04-24: Referred to Education
2026-05-05: First Assembly/Senate committee report (1st) and bill action
2026-05-06: Second committee report (2nd)

Effective date: Immediate upon enactment (no delayed effective date).

Additional notes

The amendment is concise, amending only the definition of cyberbullying and adding the AI-mimicry provision.

The bill does not specify penalties or enforcement mechanisms beyond incorporating the AI misuse into the cyberbullying definition; those details would be addressed by existing Dignity for All Students Act enforcement provisions or subsequent related legislation.