Sunday, February 14, 2010

What is Happening in Georgia Regarding Bulling?

Bullying currently affects ALL of our children in our K-12 schools across Georgia. Bullying affects those who bully, those who are victimized, and those who are witnesses or assistants to interpersonal violence. We can and must reduce this age-old problem. Currently Georgia’s legislature is looking at a bill that may expand the definition of bullying in Georgia. Below is an explanation of the bill. Read the explanation and give us you opinion on the topic.

In a House Judiciary Committee meeting, HB 927 was passed in the House Judiciary Committee meeting and now moves to the House Rules Committee for placement on the House calendar regarding the date for a vote. HB 927 expands the definition of bullying to include cyber-bullying and other disruptive behaviors and to include acts by students in grades k-12. The legislation would allow local boards of education to assign bullies to schools outside the bullies’ attendance areas for the purpose of separating bullies from their victims. The bill also directs the state board of education to enact a model bullying policy, which contains a:

• Prohibition of bullying;
• Requirement that teachers or other employees who have reliable information leading a reasonable person to suspect that someone is a target of bullying immediately report it to the school principal;
• Requirement that each school have a procedure for the school administration to promptly investigate in a timely manner and determine whether bullying has occurred;
• Identification of an age appropriate range of consequences for bullying;
• Procedure for a student, parent or guardian, teacher, or other school employee, either anonymously or in such person's name, at such person's option, to report or otherwise provide information on bullying activity;
• Requirement that a parent or guardian of any target of bullying or student who bullies another shall be notified; and
• Statement prohibiting retaliation following a report of bullying.

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