Representatives Linda Sánchez, D-Calif., and Chris Gibson, R-N.Y., introduced a bill Thursday that would require school districts to adopt stronger measures against bullying.
The Safe Schools Improvement Act would “require school districts to adopt codes of conduct specifically prohibiting bullying and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and religion,” according to Sánchez’s statement.
The legislators have the support of 19 other members of Congress, and teamed up with the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network to propose the bill.
“As a mother, my heart breaks every time I see a news report of another child taking their life after being bullied at school. Schools must be a safe place for our children to learn and grow and be protected from bullying,” Sánchez said.
Senator Bob Casey, D-Pa., is also sponsoring the bill in the Senate. In his press release, he said that a Department of Education study reported that one in three children aged 12-18 will be affected by bullying.
“With the advent of text-messaging, social media and social networking, many children find they cannot escape harassment when they go home at night. It follows them from the moment they wake until the moment they go to sleep,” Casey said. “This legislation will ensure that school districts across the country take proactive steps to combat bullying and protect children.”
The bill would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce. The bill was first introduced in 2007, when it died in subcommittee.
