Republican NY state senators have introduced an anti-bullying plan to curb aggressive harassment in schools and online.

The plan is designed to:

• Clearly define bullying or cyber-bullying, and establish them as acts requiring a disciplinary response under a school district's code of conduct.
• Mandate that school districts draw up and execute plans to discourage bullying and cyber-bullying.
• Require all school employees to report all incidents of abuse.
• Create a state hotline for students to report bullying, cyber-bullying and hazing.
• Create the crime of Aggravated Harassment of Teachers and School Personnel..
• Increase penalties for anyone convicted of crimes associated with hazing, particularly when an injury or death is involved..

Possible penalties will be placed within the schools’ existing code of conduct and enforced administratively. The punishments would likely include lengthy suspensions and, in extreme cases, possible criminal action. New York is one of seven states without any anti-bullying legislation.

Source: Senators: End school bullying , timesunion.com, May 5, 2010

Tags: Cyberbullying, NY, Legislation