The State House Education Committee held a hearing last week on legislation aimed at strengthening state law to protect school students from various forms of bullying while in school, at school-sponsored activities or in school vehicles, such as buses, says State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129).
House Bill 2464 would require schools to include prohibitions for harassment, intimidation and cyber bullying, in addition to the current required prohibition against bullying.
In addition, the bill would require schools to enact a policy that must identify by job title the appropriate school staff person to receive reports of incidents of alleged bullying, and the school officials responsible for ensuring the policy is implemented. In formulating the policy, the school would be responsible for including several interested parties in the process, including: students, parents, administrators, school staff, school volunteers, community representatives and local law enforcement agencies.
Something to ponder: why are the well-paid pencil pushers who run our public schools now so completely ineffective in dealing with bullying?