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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 13, 2007
CONTACT:
Kurt Acker
412-630-9466
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Senate to Protect Students From Bullying

Senate Bill 71, which will ensure that each school entity adopts a bullying policy or amends its code of student conduct to include bullying, recently passed in the Senate by a vote of 42-6.  The policy or code to be implemented will delineate disciplinary consequences for bullying and may include prevention, intervention and education programs.  In addition, the bill also adds "bullying" to the types of risk factors for which Safe Schools grants may be awarded.

In addition to SB 71, Senator Jane Clare Orie (R-McCandless) has worked diligently with the Pennsylvania Department of Education to include strong language regarding cyber-bullying to compliment this legislation.  Because of this effort, the Department definition of "bullying" will be amended to include harassment by electronic transmission such as text message, e-mail, or cell phone.  "This important addition- to include cyber-bullying- will further protect our children and foster a healthier educational environment," Senator Orie explained.

"Bullying legislation is long overdue in Pennsylvania", Orie said.  "Cyber-bullying, in particular, has become an epidemic in my district.  By using text messages to harass their peers, these children can be especially harsh, just brutal.  Without the face-to-face feedback that bullies get, their words can be incredibly cruel.  They say things that they just would never say in person."