New York's Democratic lawmakers are taking a definitive stand against campus antisemitism with a slew of legislative proposals aimed at protecting students from discrimination and harassment. According to a report by the New York Post, the ACCESS Act is one of these bills, designed to align the legal standards of suing higher education institutions for discrimination with those applicable in the workplace, therefore, it aims to compel universities and colleges to take a more proactive role in combating incidents of bias. "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," said Assembly sponsor Micah Lasher (D-Manhattan).

On the heels of the Department of Education's investigation into five universities, including Columbia, the urgency felt by lawmakers is palpable as a recent claim, unbeknownst to some, suggests that 72% of Jewish students feel unwelcome on campuses due to their religious identity, as detailed by the New York Post, a situation that the legislation seeks to rectify. The proposed bills also have the backing of several Jewish organizations, with Scott Richman of the Anti-Defamation League highlighting the importance of having proper measures to safeguard students against identity-based threats.

Another critical bill in this package would enforce the requirement of appointing a dedicated Title VI coordinator on every New York college campus, as mentioned by Assembly member Nily Rozic (D-Queens), who, with state Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Queens), brought forward this proposal. "This legislation is about strengthening protections, ensuring accountability, and fostering a safer, more inclusive learning environment for all students," Rozic told the New York Post.

With the tragic backdrop of anti-Israel protests that erupted after an attack by Hamas terrorists in October 2023, the adoption of such measures has gained momentum, the agitators have been accused of perpetuating antisemitism on campuses, distributing flyers with antisemitic imagery and disturbing academic settings, which has led to investigations and civil rights inquiries at a federal level, with Columbia University recently under fire for the handling of such scenarios along with four other institutions that saw investigations launched by the Trump administration's Department of Education, according to a report from Fox News.