Students in New York schools will no longer be labeled "incorrigible" under a measure signed Wednesday by Gov. Kathy Hochul meant to address the racial bias and stigma associated with the term. 

At the same time, Hochul also approved a new law that bars discrimination, intimidation and retaliations against students who filed a complaint or exercise the right of private action against proprietary schools. 

Taken together, the measures are meant to address and protect against discrimination in New York schools, especially for students of color. 

"It is essential that New York's educational institutions are places where all students, no matter how they look or express themselves, can pursue their fullest potential free from bias and intimidation," Hochul said. "In New York, our diversity is our strength, and this legislation will help ensure that young women, especially young women of color, are not stigmatized by this outdated term and are protected from abuses of power."  

The new law will remove the term "incorrigible" from the state's education law, which has been defined as students who are "incapable of being corrected" or unreformable. The word has been applied to students of color, especially girls, who are not considered stereotypically feminine, Hochul's office said. 

"This term has been used historically, in particular, to punish girls and young women of color who resist or do not fit in to sexist expectations of how girls should behave," said state Sen. Julia Salazar, a sponsor of the bill along with Assemblymember Karines Reyes. "Last year we deleted this word from the Family Court Act and now we are finishing the task by removing it from the Education Law."

In addition, Hochul approved a measure that address discrimination against students who have filed a complaint or have exercised their right of private action against proprietary schools. The measure is meant to close what's considered a loophole in the current law for filing complaints for students at proprietary or for-profit colleges. 

"All students deserve to have their rights protected, free from retaliatory harassment, and I am pleased to see this bill signed into law," said Assemblymember Deborah Glick.