Recent Legislative Movements to Stop Bullying

Not only have the recent suicides of teens as a result of bullying led to bullying becoming a national issue, but several statistics composed by various organizations, including the federal government, pinpoint that legislative action needs to be taken:

· A U.S. Department of Education study has concluded that bullying and harassment affects nearly one in every three American school children in grades six through ten, and another confirms that harassment in schools is experienced by a majority of students;

· Nearly nine-tenths (86.2%) of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students report being verbally harassed because of their sexual orientation, and two-thirds (66.5%) were harassed because of their gender identity. Additionally, over a third of LGBT students reported being physically harassed based on their sexual orientation or gender identity;

· Evidence shows that bullying can result in long-term social, academic, psychological, and physical consequences, including decreased interest in school, increased absences, and decreased concentration levels for students.

A coalition of organizations, including the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, formed the Safe Schools Improvement Act, a suggested amendment to the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (part of No Child Left Behind) that would require schools and school districts receiving federal funds to adopt codes of conduct, and measures to enforce these codes that would specifically prohibit bullying and harassment, including on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The Act would also require that states report data on bullying and harassment to the Department of Education. Source: Human Rights Campaign

On May 5, 2009 the Safe Schools Improvement Act was introduced into the House of Representatives and currently holds 119 bipartisan sponsors. The Act is currently sitting in the House Committee for Education and Labor, waiting to be brought to the floor of Congress as a major issue. The Act was also introduced into the Senate by Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, but only holds 12 cosponsors.

If the Safe Schools Improvement Act is successfully added to education policy, it would reflect a positive move in preventing bullying, more enforcement of bullying, a more in-depth approach as well as follow-through to the effects of bullying, and more accurate information and data on bullying. Because of the effect bullying has on children and young teens, United Way stresses the importance of any legislative measure that means to improve the educational environment and climate, as well as any legislative measure that could help ease and improve the mental health of people.

To learn more about these legislative actions, and how you can help advocate for these issues, you may refer to the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network’s Action Kit.

You may also directly address your representative to cosponsor this by dialing the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. Ask to be connected to your Representative's office. If she or he hasn't signed onto the act, urge the Representative to cosponsor. They can contact Representative Linda Sanchez's office if they wish to cosponsor.