March 18, 2010 — Press Release
BOSTON — State Representative Jennifer Benson joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing legislation that would prohibit bullying and cyber-bullying while requiring schools to develop a bullying prevention plan and integrate bullying prevention instruction into their curriculum.
"Bullying has become more vicious and harmful with the increasing use of technology," said Benson. "Our bill recognizes that bullying happens both on and off school grounds and puts a plan in place to create safe school environments across the state."
The bill prohibits bullying at school - including at school-sponsored events, on school busses and at school bus stops - as well as the use of electronic devices to carry out cyber-bullying. The bill also bans bullying or cyber-bullying that takes place outside of school if the bullying affects the school environment.
The bill directs the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to set regulations requiring school teachers and staffers to report incidents of bullying. The legislation also dictates that a school must promptly investigate reports of bullying and notify local law enforcement if the bullying would result in criminal charges.
In an effort to protect against incidents of bullying across the Commonwealth, the bill requires schools to add bullying prevention instruction to their curriculum and offer information about bullying prevention to parents. It also provides, at no costs to school districts, for the training of teachers and staff in the identification, prevention, and response to bullying among students.
The legislation would apply to public schools, charter schools and schools providing special education services to students for school districts. It also requires each of these entities to develop a bullying prevention and intervention plan. Such plans must include methods for responding to bullying, guidelines for giving notice to parents of those involved in bullying and appropriate services for students who have been bullied or acted as a bully.
