For Immediate Release

April 29, 2010

Contact: Elizabeth Broda

(617) 722-1415

LEGISLATURE SENDS BULLYING BILL TO THE GOVERNOR

BOSTON – Senator Michael R. Knapik (R-Westfield) joined a unanimous vote in the Senate today to send a final bullying prevention bill to Governor Patrick.

Knapik was a member of a 6-person conference committee which had met over the past several weeks to work out differences between the versions of the bill passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives.

“The legislation we supported today will ensure that bullying prevention and awareness is part of an ongoing discussion in classrooms, at school assemblies, and in faculty, staff, and parent meetings,” said Knapik.  “In addition, clarifying reporting requirements and expectations will greatly lessen the chances of a bullying incident going unnoticed and leading to such tragic events as we have seen in recent months.”

The final legislation includes the following:

• Comprehensive definitions of bullying, including cyber-bullying.
• Requirement that all school districts implement a bullying prevention plan, and that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education consult with district attorneys to develop a model plan.
• Mandated inclusion of bullying education and prevention in professional development, provided that the DESE make available a low cost or no cost option for districts.  This requirement begins in the 2010-2011 school year.
• Mandated reporting by school faculty and staff of suspected bullying incidents to the principal, who shall then report to law enforcement if he or she believes criminal charges may be warranted.
• Creation of a task force to examine whether further laws may be needed to effectively combat bullying in schools.

“We took a hard look at which parts of each bill would make the final legislation stronger,” said Knapik of conference committee discussions.  “In the end, the bill we crafted provides a framework for schools to deal with this pervasive issue and change expectations and attitudes towards bullying.”

Governor Patrick has 10 days to review and sign the bill, and he has indicated he will do so quickly.

###