ATX PostNew Statewide Anti-Bullying Law Goes Into Effect
Photo via DallasVoice.comAll Texas school districts must have anti-bullying policies in place by September 1, when a new state law takes effect.
House Bill 1942, authored by Republican Rep. Diane Patrick of Arlington, gives schools more options than they’ve had before. Under the new law, schools can transfer a bully to another school or class, where previously only the victim could be moved. Austin ISD, for example, has transferred bullies to other schools using a little little-known federal provision that presented a legal gray area. Victims of bullying also can no longer be punished for using reasonable self-defense. The law also redefines bullying to include cyber-bullying. School districts are required to adopt minimum guidelines that include prohibition of bullying, counseling options, and procedures for reporting bullying incidences.
Many school districts have been creative in implementing anti-bullying approaches that fit their communities. Schools and churches in Midland sponsored a rally which featured speakers from law enforcement and offered students a free week of self-defense training.
Chuck Smith, Equality Texas interim Executive Director, says most schools are implementing standard wording, but that Dallas and Fort Worth ISDs have been more progressive to include categories for sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. Dallas’ policy has been in effect for more than a year while Fort Worth’s policy was reexamined over two years ago with the help of the Diversity Task Force.
In contrast, Cy-Fair ISD, which includes { ...to continue reading this article: Article source: }
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