House enacts anti-bullying bill

GateHouse News Service

Posted May 03, 2010 @ 09:51 AM

Chelmsford —

In a decisive move to help schools address bullying, State Representative Cory Atkins joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in unanimously approving comprehensive legislation prohibiting bullying and cyber-bullying, directing schools to implement bullying prevention and intervention plans, and requiring school staff to report incidents of bullying.

“Bullying is nothing new in our schools, but what is new is how bullying is being carried out,” said Atkins. “Text messaging, instant messaging, and the Facebook provide bullies with insidious new ways to harass other children in school and after school. This bill protects our children by fostering a safe learning environment for everyone.”Under the bill, schools are required to include bullying prevention in their curriculum and to develop and implement plans to address bullying. To stop bullying when it happens, the legislation requires school staff to report incidents of bullying to the principal, who must then investigate and take appropriate disciplinary action.

The bill prohibits bullying on school grounds, school buses, at school-sponsored activities, and through the use of electronic communications.

In an effort to control costs for schools, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is required to identify low cost and free options for professional development for school staff. The Department is also required to develop a model bullying prevention and intervention plan schools can use in developing their own plans.

In recognition of the role that parents have in preventing and stopping bullying, the bill requires principals to notify parents of both the victim and perpetrator when bullying has occurred. The bill also involves parents by requiring that schools consult parents in the development of their anti-bullying plans and that schools offer information to parents on bullying prevention.

In addition, children on the Autism spectrum and children who are vulnerable to bullying because of a disability must have provisions in their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to ensure they obtain the skills to avoid and respond to bullying.

The bill prohibits retaliation against a person who reports bullying provides information during an investigation of bullying, or who is a witness to or has reliable information about bullying.

http://www.wickedlocal.com/chelmsford/town_info/government/x1130688291/House-enacts-anti-bullying-bill