Gov. Lynch Signs Anti-Bullying Bill Into Law
CONCORD - Surrounded by lawmakers, educators and students, Gov. John Lynch today signed a law that strengthens and updates New Hampshire's existing anti-bullying statute.
The new law, House Bill 1523, will strengthen the state's existing anti-bullying statute by ensuring every school has a clear anti-bullying policy and the new law for the first time addresses the act of cyber-bullying.
"As Governor, I have made the safety of our children a priority, and today, we are continuing our efforts to protect our most important resource - our children," Gov. Lynch said. "Together - as elected officials, parents, teachers, school administrators and law enforcement - we need to send a clear message of zero tolerance for bullying and we will not allow it in our schools."
New Hampshire first enacted an anti-bullying law in 2000. This new law strengthens the existing statute by requiring school districts to have a written anti-bullying policy. It also adds cyber-bullying - bullying through electronic means such as cell phones, social networking sites and e-mails - to statute for the first time.
"Through the use of technology, bullying can be taken to a whole new level - very often out of sight to adults, parents and teachers," Gov. Lynch said.
"Today, with this new law, we are sending a strong message that we will not tolerate bullying in any form," Gov. Lynch said. "This is a big step forward in ensuring our schools are continue providing safe, nurturing environments."
House Bill 1523 was sponsored by Reps. Donna Schlachman, Judith Day, Jayne Spaulding, Nancy Stiles, Pamela Price; and Sens. Maggie Hassan and Molly Kelly.
CYBER BULLYING BANNED BY LAW
CONCORD - In front of an audience of children, parents, teachers and advocates, Gov. John Lynch today signed a bill into law expanding the anti-bullying statute to cover cyber-bullying. It also requires school districts to have a written anti-bullying policy.
"Our goal was to write legislation that will work for everyone and truly help us address this problem in our schools," said Rep. Donna Schlachman, D-Exeter, primary sponsor of House Bill 1523.
"By passing a bill with clear definitions, specific policy requirements, strong accountability, evidence-based curriculum and annual training, we will go far in ridding our schools of bullying behavior," Rep. Schlachman said.
She noted the legislation came about because of "a call to action by two New Hampshire citizens; two parents who thought New Hampshire needed to do a better job protecting students from bullying in their schools."
Rep. Schlachman thanked Mary Michel of Stratham and Carol Croteau of Kingston for getting her involved in bringing the legislation forward.
She also thanked a number of individuals, organizations and institutions who partnered with legislators to write the legislation, including parents and students of Bully Free NH and NH Bully Watch; teachers, superintendents, school board members, the NH/NEA and AFT, the Department of Education; the Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains; the NAACP; the NH School Board Association; attorneys; pediatricians; the NH Association of School Administrators; the YWCA of Manchester; UNH Cooperative Extension; Plymouth State University; New England College, and the member organizations of the NH Children's Advocacy Network.
Children from Hopkinton's anti-bullying group "Team for Tomorrow" crowded around the governor as his put his signature on the legislation and cheered when he was finished.
Rep. Schlachman said she had tried to make sure everyone who was involved in getting House Bill 1523 to this point had been invited to see it signed into law.
New Hampshire's first anti-bullying law went into effect in 2000.
House Bill 1523 was co-sponsored by Reps. Judith Day, Jayne Spaulding, Nancy Stiles, Pamela Price, and Sens. Maggie Hassan and Molly Kelly.