11-year-old Jaheem Herrera committed suicide
Georgia State Representatives expanded the state’s definition of bullying. By law, school administrators are required to report bullying incidents to police, also by the start of the 2010-11 academic year school districts will be required to have a system in place to send a bully to different a school.
The state Department of Education will post a model anti-bullying policy on its Web site.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Mike Jacobs says it expands a Senate bill which makes it illegal to cause a disruption on a school bus.
"The bullying bill was about one thing and one thing only, giving parents and local school systems more tools to address real life problems that exist in our schools," Jacobs told a Georgia radio station.
The change in state law comes on the heels of an 11-year-old boy’s suicide last year. Jaheem Herrera’s family says he hanged himself in his closet after merciless teasing at a Georgia elementary school. DeKalb County school district officials denied the claims and an independent review found bullying was not a factor. His family rejects the decision.
Bullying in schools is a nationwide problem. In Massachusetts, 15-year-old Phoebe Prince hanged herself. Nine students have been charged in connection to the suicide. The charges include violation of civil rights, harassment, stalking and statutory rape. Also in Texas, 13-year old Jon Carmichael killed himself Sunday. Friends say he was picked-on for years, the bullies called him 'short.'
More than 40 states have laws dealing with bullying; Georgia’s law is among the toughest in the nation. Many states require schools develop prevention and intervention plans. Others include procedures for investigating bullying incidents, notifying parents and determining appropriate disciplinary actions.
Opponents argue that overzealous enforcement of the bill will unnecessarily punish some students
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