LANSING -- State Representatives Aldo Vagnozzi (D-Farmington/Farmington Hills), Tim Melton (Pontiac), Marie Donigan (D-Royal Oak), and Paul Condino (D-Southfield) today joined the Michigan House of Representatives in passing Matt's Safe School Law, which would uniformly define bullying and harassment and require that all schools adopt an anti-bullying policy.
"The issue of bullying has traumatized too many of our children for far too long," said Vagnozzi, a sponsor of the bill. "By clearly defining and prohibiting harassment, intimidation and bullying, our children will be safer from these terrible acts."
The Journal of the American Medical Association noted in a recent study that nearly 30 percent of children reported moderate or frequent involvement in bullying.
"Unfortunately, our education community has dealt inconsistently with the ongoing issue of bullying for years without having a clear mandate from the state," said Melton, Chair of the House Education Committee. "Our schools will now address the frequent number of students victimized by providing security through new anti-bullying policies."
Similar legislation was introduced last year, but the new version of Matt's Safe School Law extends protections to Internet activity.
"The pressure for kids to focus on school is difficult enough," Donigan said. "This legislation will provide them with the best learning environment."
The law is named after Matt Epling, a Michigan student who committed suicide after experiencing ongoing harassment and bullying at school. Unfortunately, six out of 10 Michigan children have been victims of bullying.
"Bullying in our schools should never be tolerated," Condino said. "Our children's education is the most important thing in their young lives and this legislation will protect their rights at school."
Matt's Safe School Law has the support of Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, the Michigan State Police, the Michigan Board of Education, Michigan Association of School Psychologists and many others.