AMARILLO, TEXAS -- The issue of bullying looks to be an upcoming issue in Austin when the Texas Legislature meets next month.
So far, ProNews 7 found nine bills that deal with the issue of bullying, both on school grounds and over the internet. Currently, Texas laws require school districts to prohibit bullying in their student code of conduct. Critics, however, argue that more needs to be done.
Senator Wendy Davis and Representative Mark Strama both filed bills they believe will strengthen anti-bullying laws. The proposed bills would, according to a press release from Davis' office, enhance the reporting process and require school districts to report numbers and type of bullying incidents to the Texas Education Association. Nearly one in five students in the Lone Star State report being bullied on school grounds, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
"All Texas children and their parents expect schools to be safe and nurturing environments where the opportunity to learn can be realized," Davis said.
She added that she hopes the legislation will not only make students safer but also let parents know bullying will not be tolerated in Texas schools.
The bill filed by Davis and Strama would also require districts to provide training to prevent, identify, and respond to reported incidents of bullying and states that parents will be notified of bullying incidents within two days.
It also changes which student can be transferred out of the school when an incident happens. Currently, the law allows the school to move the victim of the bullying to another campus, the proposed bill would allow the bully to be transferred to a different campus. Retaliation against victims or witnesses would also be prohibited and it expands the definition of bullying to include "cyber" and off-campus bullying, when it affects circumstances on campus or the ability of the student to learn.
Other bills filed include putting students in a disciplinary alternative education program for bullying or cyber-bullying to the creation of a bullying hotline. Chuck Smith with Equality Texas, which focuses on gay, lesbian, and transgender issues, says his group is pursuing anti-bullying measures as a child welfare issue.
Senator Kel Seliger, who represents a large part of the Texas Panhandle, said there are clearly problems with some young people getting agitated to the point of suicide, but said that none of the bills he's seen have included a clear definition of what bullying is. He believes that a clear definition of the word would have to be included before any bill could be passed, and added that it's a timely issue that should be approached very carefully.
Lawmakers have until March 11th to file bills for consideration.
The AP contributed to this report.
