News Release
For Immediate Release
January 29, 2002

GREENLEAF ANTI-BULLYING BILL CLEARS APPROPRIATIONS PANEL

HARRISBURG –A bill offered by Sen. Stewart J. Greenleaf to require school districts to implement bullying prevention policies has been approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Greenleaf said that schools should make use of the Department of Education’s Office of Safe Schools grants to fund and develop the programs.

"Studies have determined that 80 percent of adolescents report being bullied during their school years, while 15 percent admit that they bully others or are victims of bullies on an ongoing basis. Bullying has been cited as a causative factor in numerous instances of school violence, including some involving loss of life," Greenleaf said.

"Schools should step up and address this issue, instead of falling back on the ‘kids will be kids’ attitude. Bullying should not be tolerated, first of all, because students deserve a harassment-free atmosphere in school. They should not have to dread going to school because of being picked on. Secondly, bullying should not be tolerated because, unchecked, it can lead to escalating violence and retaliation," Greenleaf said.

Colorado, the site of the massacre at Columbine High School, has enacted a law requiring schools to implement bullying prevention and education policies as part of their conduct and discipline code.

"Providing such a policy in Pennsylvania schools will improve the educational atmosphere and help prevent violence," Greenleaf said.