Bullying law update 'step in the right direction'

A bill signed by Gov. Sonny Perdue that strengthens Georgia's anti-bullying laws and places more responsibilities for reporting on school officials is a positive move, according to a Murray County couple.

The new law is "a step in the right direction," said David Long, whose son's suicide prompted a federal lawsuit that claims years of bullying at school led to his death.

Murray County High School junior Tyler Long took his own life in October 2009.

"I think some schools will take this new policy and run with it and make it so much better," Tyler's mother, Tina, said.

But "administrators have to be willing participants," Mrs. Long said. "It's actions that make a difference for these victims."

The legislation, sponsored by Georgia House Rep. Mike Jacobs, R-Atlanta, strengthens laws already on the books by expanding coverage to elementary students, requiring notification of parents of both bullies and victims, expanding definitions of bullying to include cyberspace communications and providing guidance on reporting and investigating incidents.

"Bullying has no place in our schools," Gov. Perdue stated in a release upon signing the bill. "This legislation will help local systems address incidents of student intimidation and ensure that parents know when their child is involved in a bullying incident."

When Senate Bill 250 headed for the governor's desk last month, Sen. Jeff Mullis, R-Chickamauga, described it as "overreaching," while Rep. Martin Scott, R-Rossville, called it "heavy-handed."

However, both lawmakers said Georgia's anti-bullying laws needed updates.

Sen. Mullis, who voted in favor of the bill despite his concerns, said he wasn't surprised to see the governor sign it because it had broad support. The Senate passed the bill 44-0.

The new law is meant "to be helpful in dealing with bullying. If it goes too far, we'll adjust it next session," he said.

Rep. Scott was among 55 House members who voted not to attach the House version's language to the Senate bill passed at the end of the session in April. He said he opposed the measure because of the bill's potential impact on local control, not its intent.

"While I'm not in favor of some changes in this law, I don't think that this law will inhibit the administrators or the teachers from their mission in educating children," he said.

ANTI-BULLYING LAW UPDATES

* Broadens laws to cover grades K-12

* Adds cyberspace communications to definitions of bullying

* Requires the state to develop a model anti-bullying policy

* Requires school systems to adopt a policy against bullying

* Requires notification of the bully's parents or guardians about incidents

* Requires notification of the victim's parents or guardians about incidents

* Provides guidance to school systems on reporting and investigating bullying incidents

Source: Georgia General Assembly