Greenleaf Continues Push for Adoption of
his Anti-Bullying Measure
HARRISBURG – In an effort to gain
adoption of his anti-bullying measure before the close of
the current legislative session, Sen. Stewart J. Greenleaf
(R-Montgomery/Bucks) successfully amended his legislation
into a school code bill further along in the legislative
process.
Recently the Senate Education Committee
approved Senate Bill 71, a measure introduced by Sen.
Greenleaf, which would require each school district to adopt
a policy addressing bullying.
Recognizing the unlikelihood of
securing passage of SB 71 by the end of session on November
30th, on Wednesday Sen. Greenleaf, along with Sen. Connie
Williams ( D-Montgomery) and Sen. Jane Orie (R-Allegheny),
amended the language into a school code bill in hopes of
moving this important initiative closer to passage.
"A number of school districts already
have policies on bullying, but this measure asserts that
every school should address an issue that is so prevalent
and so potentially dangerous," Greenleaf said. "Bullying
has been cited as a factor in numerous instances of school
violence, including some involving loss of life."
The amendment, which was adopted
unanimously, would require all school districts to
distribute the bullying policy with the code of student
conduct and makes the policy available on its publicly
accessible Internet website.
It provides that each district shall
review its policy every three years and annually provide the
Office of Safe Schools with a copy of its policy relating to
bullying and any other information related to the
development and implementation of bullying prevention,
intervention and education programs. It also authorizes the
Office of Safe Schools to make grants for violence
prevention programs that include bullying.
"I am pleased to join with Sen.
Williams and Sen. Orie in trying to secure passage of this
anti-bullying proposal prior to session ending." Greenleaf
said. "We must do everything possible to ensure that our
students have a safe environment which promotes learning.
Bullying has a significant long-term impact on the victim.
Being bullied often leads to fear, poor self-esteem and
increased levels of depression, reducing the child's ability
to learn."
Passage of this bill would result in
Pennsylvania joining about 20 other states that have enacted
laws on bullying. The Pennsylvania School Boards
Association and the Pennsylvania State Education Association
have communicated their support for this proposal.
CONTACT:
ERIC PAULEY
(717) 787-6599
