PA to discuss new school anti-bullying laws
State Sen. Connie Williams, (D., Montgomery) will hold a news conference this morning at the Conshohocken Elementary School in the Colonial School District to talk about new anti-bullying legislation passed this year that will go into effect early next year.
State Sen. Connie Williams, (D., Montgomery) will hold a news conference this morning at the Conshohocken Elementary School in the Colonial School District to talk about new anti-bullying legislation passed this year that will go into effect early next year.
The new provisions, which Williams pushed for, were incorporated into state School Code amendments passed in July. They require all Pennsylvania public school districts to adopt a policy aimed at preventing bullying and intimidation by Jan. 1, 2009, if they do not already have one.
"Name calling, teasing, intentionally excluding another student, spreading rumors, pushing, hitting, shoving or sending insulting messages via e-mail are more than unpleasant and mean - they are stunting a child's ability to learn and to grow as a person," Williams said in a statement.
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, Williams' announcement of today's event said, nearly 30 percent of youth aged 11 to 15 have been a victim or perpetrator of bullying.
The district policies required by the law must include consequences for violations and identify appropriate school personnel for students to notify if they feel bullied. They must be posted on schools' internet web sites, in every classroom and in a prominent location in each school building.
The law defines bullying as an intentional electronic, written, verbal or physical act directed at another student or students that is severe, persistent or pervasive and interferes with a student's education, creates a threatening environment or disrupts the orderly operation of the school or classroom.
The law would apply to bullying or intimidation that takes place on school grounds, in school vehicles, at a bus stop or at any school-sponsored, supervised or sanctioned activity.
Williams will be joined at the news conference by a number of her colleagues from the House and the Senate, including Sen. Stewart Greenleaf (R., Bucks), as well as staff and administration of Colonial School District.