ยง 14. Commissioner's responsibilities. The commissioner shall:
1. Provide direction, which may include development of model policies
and, to the extent possible, direct services, to school districts
related to preventing harassment, bullying and discrimination and to
fostering an environment in every school where all children can learn
free of manifestations of bias;
2. Provide grants, from funds appropriated for such purpose, to local
school districts to assist them in implementing the guidelines set forth
in this section;
3. Promulgate regulations to assist school districts in implementing
this article including, but not limited to, regulations to assist school
districts in developing measured, balanced, and age-appropriate
responses to violations of this policy, with remedies and procedures
following a progressive model that make appropriate use of intervention,
discipline and education and provide guidance related to the application
of regulations; and
4. Provide guidance and educational materials to school districts
related to best practices in addressing cyberbullying and helping
families and communities work cooperatively with schools in addressing
cyberbullying, whether on or off school property or at or away from a
school function.
5. The commissioner shall prescribe regulations that school
professionals applying on or after December thirty-first, two thousand
thirteen for a certificate or license, including but not limited to a
certificate or license valid for service as a classroom teacher, school
counselor, school psychologist, school social worker, school
administrator or supervisor or superintendent of schools shall, in
addition to all other certification or licensing requirements, have
completed training on the social patterns of harassment, bullying and
discrimination, as defined in section eleven of this article, including
but not limited to those acts based on a person's actual or perceived
race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious
practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex, the
identification and mitigation of harassment, bullying and
discrimination, and strategies for effectively addressing problems of
exclusion, bias and aggression in educational settings.