Thursday, April 29, 2010. Both houses of the Massachusetts legislature overwhelmingly passed a tough new bullying law (inluding anti-cyberbullying provisions) and the Governor is expected to sign it into law this week. As reported, the bill requires mandatory training for school officials beginning next year. Under the law, public and private schools must offer anti-bullying curriculum, schools must create a bullying intervention plan, and principals are mandated to investigate complaints and report results to parents. Police must also be alerted if the abuse could be deemed criminal harassment, stalking, witness intimidation or annoying telephone calls. The bill does not impose fines or other penalties for school officials who fail to report bullying, nor does it explicitly make bullying a crime. Some feel the law does not go far enough. The law is a response to two school bullying related suicides in Massachussetts, but some note sadly that it comes to late for Phoebe Prince and Carl Joseph Walker Hoover.
Our editorial: We applaud these great steps by lawmakers. Let’s not forget, however, that real change needs to come from programs and efforts by all stakeholders to increase social maturity among youth, including civility in the use of digital tools.
Sat, May 1, 2010
Current News, Legal Issues