Act Now to Protect Virginia Students from Bullying

SB 951, the Anti-Bullying bill, will be heard on Monday, Jan. 21st in the Public Ed subcommittee 1/2 hour after adjournment.

The Commonwealth should enact anti-bullying legislation similar to a law now in place in Mississippi that prohibits bullying or harassing behavior in the public schools.  The bill requires all local school districts to adopt a policy prohibiting bullying and harassing behavior.   Further, it:

•        Prohibits bullying or harassing behavior, including written, electronic or verbal communications, in the public schools, including school property, at any school-sponsored function, or on a school bus;

•        Requires each local school district to include in its personnel policies, discipline policies, and code of student conduct a prohibition against bullying or harassing behavior and adopt procedures for reporting, investigating, and addressing such behavior; and

•        Requires that policies recognize the fundamental right of every student to protect himself or herself from an attack by another student who has evidenced menacing or threatening behavior through bullying or harassing.

Please call or email members of the Public Education subcommittee urging support of SB 951

Senator Harry Blevins, 804-698-7514, district14@senate.virginia.gov

Senator Bill Carrico, 804-698-7540, district40@senate.virginia.gov

Senator Janet Howell, 804-698-8283, district32@senate.virginia.gov

Senator Mamie Locke, 804-698-7502, district02@senate.virginia.gov

Senator Dick Black, 804-698-7513, district13@senate.virginia.gov

Please get a few friends to call or email as well.