(METUCHEN)—In an effort to prevent violent behavior in New Jersey’s schools, Governor James E. McGreevey signed legislation today at the Edgar Middle School in Metuchen that would require school districts to adopt policies prohibiting bullying.

 

“Our children deserve to receive a quality education in a safe environment, where they are free from threats and harassment,” said McGreevey.  “By requiring our schools to develop policies that prohibit bullying and encourage respect, students and parents can be assured that cruel and harmful treatment—whether at school, on the bus, or at a school function—will not be tolerated.” 

 

"Given the correlation between bullying relationships and acts of school violence, I believe that we must prevent this chain reaction before it starts," said Senator Buono. "We can no longer act like bullying is harmless, with no long-term effects. Bullying incidents can have a life-long--and sometimes life-ending--impact."

 

With input from parents, school employees, students, administrators and the community, the new law will require school districts to adopt policies prohibiting bullying, harassment and intimidation on school property, at school-sponsored functions, or on school buses.

 

While the school district will have control over the content of the policy, the new law seeks some uniformity by requiring each district to include certain components including a statement prohibiting harassment and bullying, a definition of bullying, the consequences for committing such acts, procedures for reporting and investigating violations, prohibition of retaliation and public awareness measures.

 

The legislation defines bullying, harassment and intimidation as any verbal, written or physical act—motivated by race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, gender identity and mental or physical disabilities—that damages a student’s property or insults, harms or instills fear in the student. 

 

Senate Bill 149, which unanimously passed the Senate, was sponsored by Senators Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex), Diane Allen (R-Burlington, Camden), Anthony Bucco (R-Morris), and Robert Singer (R-Burlington, Monmouth, Ocean, Mercer).  The Senate bill was substituted by the Assembly Committee Substitute for Assembly Bills 1874 and 1526.  Assembly sponsors include Assemblymen John McKeon (D-Essex), Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen, Essex, Passaic), Joseph Azzolina (R-Middlesex, Monmouth) and Samuel Thompson (R-Middlesex, Monmouth).