Bill would name harassment, bullying as 'good cause' reasons to suspend, expel student
Stella Serpa speaks about how she was tormented as a young girl by classmates during a press conference today to unveil the "Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights" designed to combat harassment, intimidation and bullying among students.TRENTON — Acknowledging that past anti-bullying laws failed to provide enough protection for kids and consequences for non-compliant school officials, New Jersey lawmakers today introduced legislation that they hope would save the lives and childhoods of harassed students across New Jersey.
Lawmakers say the far-reaching bill (A-3466) would require all teachers, administrators and school board members to complete anti-bullying training. It would mandate superintendents report twice a year the number of bullying and harassing incidents that occur to the school board, and to include a tally in the annual School Report Card.
The legislation called the "Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights" would specifically name harassment, bullying and intimidation as reasons for the first time that would constitute "good cause" to suspend or expel a student.
The legislation also demands public colleges and universities adopt an anti-bullying policy and include it in the code of conduct given to all students.
The legislation comes after Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi committed suicide by jumping off the George Washington Bridge on Sept. 22, after his roommate allegedly set up a webcam and streamed online an intimate encounter Clementi was having with another man in his dorm. But it was not rushed together in the month since he died.
"This bill is not just a response to the tragic death of Tyler Clementi, though New Jersey must respond to that - and this bill does,'' said Steven Goldstein, chairman of Garden State Equality, a civil rights group. The bill has been a work in progress for a year, Goldstein said, because "we anticipated that a tragedy could happen. God, nobody wishes we were correct.''
Goldstein, an activist who is most closely associated with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issue, said this is "not just a 'gay' bill. This bill protects any student who is bullied for any reason. We care about all of God's children who deserve to live in dignity and safety.''
The only way to effectively combat bullying is to change the culture of our schools,'' said Valerie Vanieri Huttle, D-Bergen) a prime sponsor of the bill. "Bu giving students and educators the tools they need to successfully prevent and respond to bullying anf to give communities the ability to hold the state education system accountable, we send this clear message that harassment, bullying and intimidation will no longer be tolerated.''