Nearly culminating a long-time, collaborative effort between local advocates, legislators and countless students throughout Massachusetts to modernize our anti-bullying laws, I proudly voted in favor of legislation today that will strengthen efforts to prevent school-related bullying and cyber-bullying.
The passage of today’s bullying legislation comes as the latest part of an extensive effort by state leaders, local school districts and a wide group of stakeholders to address this prevalent issue facing many students—highlighted by a number of very recent tragedies across the Commonwealth. In testimony delivered to the legislature’s Education Committee during the hearing on bullying legislation last year, I argued that there is a “glaring” need to address the issue.
“There have been a number of more-recent, tragic events in each of our communities and
across our Commonwealth that have unfortunately attached young faces and families to this growing problem—my granddaughters and family included,” I argued in my testimony at the time.
Specifically, the bill prohibits bullying at school—including at school-sponsored events, on school buses and at school bus stops—as well as the use of electronic devices to carry out cyber-bullying. The bill also bans bullying or cyber-bullying that takes place outside of school if the bullying affects the school environment.
The legislation also directs the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to set regulations requiring school teachers and staffers to report incidents of bullying. It requires schools to promptly investigate reports of bullying and notify local law enforcement if the bullying would result in criminal charges. Moreover, in an effort to protect against incidents of bullying across the Commonwealth, the bill also requires schools to add bullying prevention instruction to their curriculum and offer bullying prevention tips to parents.
Differences between the House- and Senate-passed versions of the bill are now being worked out by a conference committee made up of leaders from both branches before being sent to Governor Patrick to be signed into law.
