Colorado’s 2011 anti-bullying bill starts strong in state legislature

Today the Colorado House of Representatives Education Committee passea proposal aimed at reducing bullying in schools by a 9-4 vote. House Bill 1254 sets up a legislative task force to study bullying and what can be done about it.

The bill also clearly defines bullying, creates a fund for schools to initiate bullying prevention efforts and requires school districts to adopt comprehensive, evidence-based anti-bullying policies.

It addresses not only well-known forms of bullying but also newer forms of Internet bullying. Bullying is defined as “any written or verbal expression or physical or electronic act or gesture or a pattern thereof that is intended to coerce, intimidate or harm one or more students.”

The measure also calls for reporting of all incidents, institution of conduct and discipline codes, and training for teachers and administrators in recognizing and preventing bullying. The bill prohibits retaliation against any student who reports an incident.

“We applaud this decision by the House Education Committee to move this important bill forward,” said Brad Clark, director of One Colorado, which has organized a coalition of 30 education-related organizations to push for stronger anti-bullying efforts throughout Colorado.

Erin Yourtz, safe schools coordinator for One Colorado, said, “While historically, being bullied has been tolerated as an inevitable adolescent rite of passage, we now know that bullying has significant negative impacts on the academic achievement, educational aspirations and psychological well-being of all students.”

HB 1254 now goes to the House Appropriations Committee before a vote by the full House and then to the Senate.