11 - Definitions.

* §  11.  Definitions. For the purposes of this article, the following  terms shall have the following meanings:    1. "School property" shall mean in or within any building,  structure,  athletic  playing  field,  playground,  parking  lot,  or land contained  within the real  property  boundary  line  of  a  public  elementary  or  secondary  school;  or  in or on a school bus, as defined in section one  hundred forty-two of the vehicle and traffic law.    2. "School function" shall mean  a  school-sponsored  extra-curricular  event or activity.    3.  "Disability"  shall  mean  disability  as  defined  in subdivision  twenty-one of section two hundred ninety-two of the executive law.    4. "Employee" shall mean employee as defined in subdivision  three  of  section eleven hundred twenty-five of this title.    5.    "Sexual    orientation"   shall   mean   actual   or   perceived  heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality.    6. "Gender" shall mean actual or perceived sex  and  shall  include  a  person's gender identity or expression.    7.  "Harassment"  shall  mean the creation of a hostile environment by  conduct or by verbal threats, intimidation or abuse that  has  or  would  have  the  effect  of  unreasonably and substantially interfering with a  student's educational performance, opportunities or benefits, or mental,  emotional  or  physical  well-being;   or   conduct,   verbal   threats,  intimidation  or  abuse  that  reasonably  causes or would reasonably be  expected to cause a student to fear for his or her physical safety; such  conduct, verbal threats, intimidation  or  abuse  includes  but  is  not  limited  to  conduct,  verbal  threats, intimidation or abuse based on a  person's actual or  perceived  race,  color,  weight,  national  origin,  ethnic   group,   religion,   religious   practice,  disability,  sexual  orientation, gender or sex.    * NB Effective July 1, 2012